A2P
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Telecom
| Stands for | Application-to-person |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
A2P stands for Application-to-person, a telecom abbreviation.
Text messages sent automatically by software to people, such as one-time passcodes, delivery updates, bank alerts and appointment reminders, as opposed to person-to-person messages. Carriers apply separate rules and fees to A2P traffic.
Example: The clinic's A2P reminders go out 24 hours before each appointment.
Usage notes
A2P messaging is a large business for carriers and messaging platforms such as Twilio. Fraudsters exploit it through "SMS pumping", triggering thousands of verification texts to premium numbers; in 2023 Elon Musk said Twitter was losing about 60 million dollars a year to such fake two-factor authentication messages. Senders typically use short codes, toll-free numbers or registered long codes.
Related abbreviations
More telecom abbreviations
- 5G – Fifth generation of mobile telephony
- 6G – Sixth generation of mobile telephony
- 802.11ac – IEEE 802.11ac (Very High Throughput Wi-Fi)
- 802.11ax – IEEE 802.11ax (High Efficiency Wi-Fi)
- 802.11be – IEEE 802.11be (Extremely High Throughput Wi-Fi)
- 802.11n – IEEE 802.11n (High Throughput Wi-Fi)
- ADSL – Asymmetric digital subscriber line
- AM – Amplitude modulation
- AMPS – Advanced Mobile Phone System
- APN – Access Point Name
- ARPU – Average revenue per user
- BT – British Telecom (BT Group)