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Email Messaging Gateway discontinuance
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What to know
The Email Messaging Gateway service will be discontinued on June 17, 2025.
This service currently allows users to employ email to send a text message to a subscriber's device and also allows a subscriber to send a text message to an email address. Please refer to the FAQs below for a list of the impacted email domains.
To ensure a smooth transition and avoid service disruption, we recommend switching to FirstNet Messaging or another enterprise-grade platform as soon as possible.
Explore your options
To assist with the transition, FirstNet primary customers will get FirstNet Messaging for free. For extended primary customers, AT&T is offering FirstNet Messaging Lite, an email-to-text-only version of FirstNet Messaging at a reduced rate of $0.10 per license, per month. FirstNet agencies can also use Application-to-Person messaging (A2P) alternatives like 10DLC, short codes or toll-free text-enabled options.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact your account team or contact FirstNet customer support.
Thank you for being a valued FirstNet customer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Email Messaging Gateway (EMG)?
Instituted in the late 1990s, the free consumer Email Messaging Gateway allows anyone with access to the internet to send an email message to FirstNet subscribers as an SMS or MMS message. FirstNet subscribers can also send an email message as an SMS or MMS message from their device.
When will AT&T sunset the EMG?
AT&T will sunset the EMG effective June 17, 2025.
Which email domains will be sunsetted?
AT&T email domains
- SMS: mobilenumber@txt.att.net
- MMS: mobilenumber@mms.att.net
FirstNet email domains
- SMS: mobilenumber@txt.firstnet-mail.com
- MMS: mobilenumber@mms.firstnet-mail.com
Why is AT&T sunsetting the EMG?
As this technology has become outdated and contributes to a high volume of unwanted text messages, we believe our customers are better served with more trusted and reliable messaging services.
What will happen to messages I send after the EMG sunset date?
Messages will fail and not be delivered to the FirstNet or AT&T subscriber.
Can I continue to use the EMG after the sunset date?
No. After June 17, 2025, service will be discontinued for all customers.
How do I know if the message I received was delivered via the EMG?
If the SMS or MMS message is sent by a 9-digit number starting with 140100 or 1410200, or an email address, that means it came via the EMG.
Is there a way to get an extension if I haven’t found an alternative to using the EMG before the sunset date?
AT&T may grant certain senders an extension beyond the sunset date of June 17, 2025, under exceptional circumstances. This extension would be no more than 60 days and AT&T may rescind this extension without notice at any time. To request an extension, or if you need further assistance, please reach out to your account team or FirstNet customer service at 800.574.7000.
When did AT&T notify me of the change?
AT&T began notifying senders of the sunset via direct communication on March 27, 2025, and by delivery of an auto-reply to incoming messages beginning on April 1, 2025.
What FirstNet alternatives exist to replace the EMG for sending messages?
FirstNet Messaging is a highly secure group notification and messaging solution that works efficiently with most agency notification applications (CAD) for enhanced wireless notification and response. The messaging platform works using either the mobile app and web portal, or using SMTP, SNPP or WCTP. FirstNet Messaging is free for all primary agencies and is $3 per month, per license for all extended primary agencies.
FirstNet Messaging Lite is an SMTP, email-to-text-only option that comes with unlimited messaging. This offering is for extended primary FirstNet lines only and requires every recipient to be provisioned with a license in order to receive the message. FirstNet Messaging Lite is $0.10 per month, per license.
What third-party alternatives exist to replace the EMG for sending messages?
For FirstNet senders who send messages to non-employee recipients, the third-party, Application-to-Person (A2P) alternatives include 10DLC, short codes or text-enabled toll-free numbers. AT&T does not make any specific recommendations, as each A2P alternative, and the companies that can assist, offers advantages based on your specific business needs.
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