5G message FAQ
Common questions about 5G message in Short Message Service (SMS) fall into a few areas: activation, fees and SMS packages, device coverage, and failed deliveries. Additional questions concern capability differences from digital message and card SMS, 5G message signatures, template content, batch sending tasks, and rendering differences across devices.
How do I activate 5G message?
5G message is available by invitation only during the internal preview. If your account is not granted access, the 5G Messages menu does not appear in the SMS console.
To apply for activation, contact your Alibaba Cloud business manager. If you do not have a business manager, contact Alibaba Cloud pre-sales consulting.
Can I use an SMS package to offset 5G message fees?
No. You cannot use an SMS package to offset 5G message fees. 5G message fees and SMS package quotas are independent of each other: an SMS package quota that you have already purchased is not consumed to offset 5G message usage.
Am I charged when a 5G message is sent to a device that does not support 5G message?
No. The message is treated as a failed delivery, and a delivery receipt that carries a specific failure error code is returned in about 6 minutes. Obtain this receipt from the 5G message send records in the SMS console, or through the receipt delivery method that you configured.
Use the receipt to decide whether to reach the user through another message type. The capability comparison in this topic describes how 5G message differs from digital message and card SMS.
What is the current device coverage of 5G message?
About 15% of devices, roughly 250 million, can currently receive 5G messages. Coverage grows as 5G message rolls out more widely.
How does 5G message differ from digital message and card SMS?
Like digital message and card SMS, 5G message supports rich media content such as images, video, and audio. In addition, 5G message provides the following capabilities:
Configure a fixed menu to support interaction and present richer content.
Set a brand logo to make the messages you send more authoritative.
Set a floating menu when you send a message to increase the interactivity of each message.
Include multiple rich media items in a single message to increase the amount of information each message delivers.
Get the interaction status of a user and interact with the user, which turns message delivery into a service entry point.
Why do I need to add a 5G message signature if I already have a domestic SMS signature?
Domestic SMS and 5G message are registered separately with the carriers, and a 5G message signature must also be listed after registration is complete. Therefore, you must add a 5G message signature separately. Alibaba Cloud provides an upgrade capability that reduces the materials you upload when you add a 5G message signature. For the procedure, see Add a 5G message signature.
Why is the state of my 5G message signature different for China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom?
China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom review 5G message signature submissions independently, so registration and listing results can be out of sync and a signature can end up in the Partially approved state.
To review the result for each carrier, open the signature details on the Signatures page or click Details in the signature list. The details show the registration and listing result for each carrier and product type, together with the reason for each rejection.
Can I use a fully variable template and pass all content at send time?
Alibaba Cloud does not provide the fully variable mode by default. Template content must be finalized when you submit the template. If you have a business requirement for the fully variable mode, contact your Alibaba Cloud business manager to apply.
For how to configure template content and variables, see Add a 5G message template.
Can I cancel a 5G message batch sending task?
If you created a scheduled task, cancel it before the scheduled start time.
After the task starts running, you cannot cancel it.
Why does the same rich media message look different on iPhone and Android devices?
iOS and Android render messages differently, so card styles, fixed menu styles, interactive button styles, and multi-card layouts can vary. Handset vendors control these differences, and Alibaba Cloud cannot change them.
To check how a 5G message template appears on different devices, choose 5G Messages > Message Template Management in the SMS console, and then preview the template. Because Android models vary widely, verify the final result on real devices.