A2P compliance is a pain. Necessary? Yes. Exciting? Not unless you’re into legal paperwork and checkbox audits.
But here’s the thing—staying compliant is non-negotiable if you want to keep using SMS without getting slapped with fines or having your messages blocked.
And if you’re an agency working in places like Australia (or anywhere with annoying SMS compliance rules), things can get expensive fast.
So when I saw what’s coming down the pipeline in HighLevel I got excited.
There’s a new SMS app that can bypass A2P compliance entirely, legally, and it might just be the little magic wand small agencies have been waiting for.
Let me break it down 👇
The Problem: A2P Compliance = Headaches & $$$
If you’ve ever tried setting up an A2P-registered SMS workflow, you already know:
- You need matching legal business names 🤯
- Your opt-in forms better have perfect checkbox phrasing 📝
- And don’t even get me started on the delay times and approval process
Not to mention, every new country you serve adds a whole new level of rules and costs.
So for agencies operating on tighter margins or running SMS just for transactional updates, compliance can feel like overkill.
The Solution: A New SMS App with a Twist
This upcoming HighLevel add-on is basically:
✅ A physical modem
✅ A plug-and-play app
✅ A backdoor (not shady) to send SMS without triggering A2P restrictions
Instead of routing through typical SMS carriers, the app works by connecting to a small modem (yes, like an actual little box you plug in).
The modem sends SMS messages just like a regular phone, no A2P filter, no compliance friction.
Perfect for:
- Transactional messages like appointment reminders
- One-on-one follow-ups
- Smaller campaigns in strict or expensive regions
Now, don’t get wild, this isn’t for blasting promos to thousands of leads.
It’s not meant to replace your A2P strategy if you’re scaling SMS at volume.
But if you’re a lean agency looking for a budget-friendly, legal workaround, this tool might save you serious cash and setup time.
What You Need to Know
Before you unplug your Twilio line and go full rogue, here’s what to keep in mind:
🧠 It only works if the modem is plugged in. No modem = no messages.
🌍 Best for regions with high A2P costs or tight restrictions (hello, Australia 🇦🇺).
📦 Transactional > Promotional. Save the modem for functional messages, not bulk campaigns.
💸 Affordable. No ongoing carrier costs, no compliance registration fees.
Bottom line: If A2P feels like a blocker in your workflow, this new app might be your backdoor to simpler SMS.
Pro Tip
If you’re running a mid-size agency and A2P registration is becoming a project of its own, test this new SMS app on non-promotional use cases.
I’m talking reminders, confirmations, internal notifications, etc. It won’t replace your marketing SMS, but it could cut costs and stress big time for the day-to-day stuff.