Recent federal and state regulations require that outbound text messages only be sent during certain hours based on the recipient’s local time zone. FreedomSoft automatically enforces a safe compliance window to help protect your business and your sending reputation.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts sending marketing text messages outside of 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. local time at the recipient’s location. Several states have even stricter limits, which is why FreedomSoft defaults to a most conservative national window (2 p.m.–8 p.m. ET) to ensure your texts remain compliant.
Understanding Automated Calling & SMS Timing
Federal and state regulations generally allow outbound calls and text messages to be sent between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the recipient’s local time zone (with some additional considerations depending on jurisdiction and weekends).
Because FreedomSoft cannot determine a contact’s real-time physical location when a message or call is sent, timing compliance must be handled using configurable safeguards.
Timing Options in FreedomSoft
FreedomSoft provides two timing methods in your Phone Settings:
1. Time Zone Based (Default Setting)
This option schedules calls and text messages based on your account’s time zone, using a standardized window designed to minimize compliance risk across all U.S. regions.
When this setting is selected, outbound SMS is limited to the following windows:
- Your Time Zone is EST – Messages will be sent between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST
- Your Time Zone is CST – Messages will be sent between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. CST
- Your Time Zone is MST – Messages will be sent between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. MST
- Your Time Zone is PST – Messages will be sent between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST
- Your Time Zone is HST – Messages will be sent between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. HST
This approach ensures that messages are not sent earlier than 8:00 a.m. in Hawaii or later than 8:00 p.m. on the East Coast, keeping all outbound communication within a safe nationwide window.
Why this matters:
This is the lowest-risk option, but it also creates the smallest automated sending window, since it must account for all U.S. time zones simultaneously.
2. Area Code Based
This option attempts to send messages based on the contact’s phone number area code, allowing for a broader sending window that more closely aligns with the standard 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. local time rule.
Benefit:
- Expands your available sending window
- Allows messages to go out earlier and later depending on the contact’s assumed time zone
Important Consideration (Risk):
Some legal interpretations and case law suggest that a person’s physical location at the time of contact—not their phone number’s area code—determines compliance.
Because it’s not possible to know a contact’s real-time physical location, using area code-based timing introduces a level of uncertainty and potential compliance risk.
Adjusting Send Time Settings
FreedomSoft allows users to customize their automated SMS time settings.
Follow the steps below to adjust your outbound SMS timing settings:
From your FreedomSoft account, click your name in the top-right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
From the left-hand menu, click Phone.
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At the top of the Phone Settings page, select the Automated Sending tab.
Here, you’ll see two options for controlling when your automated text messages are sent:Time Zone Based: Sends messages based on "business hours" (2pm ET - 8pm ET), regardless of where recipients are located.
Area Code Based: Sends messages based on the recipient’s area code location.
Save your settings. These changes will take effect immediately for all future automated text messages.
User Responsibility
While FreedomSoft enforces safeguards, compliance remains the responsibility of each user.
It’s your responsibility to:
Confirm that all outbound messaging complies with federal and state timing laws
Ensure proper opt-in consent and opt-out handling
Verify that your messages align with carrier and industry best practices
FreedomSoft’s system is designed to make compliance easier, but users must always verify their campaigns meet legal requirements.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Users are responsible for ensuring their own compliance with all applicable federal, state, and carrier regulations governing SMS communications.
Need Help?
If you have questions about automated sending times or how to configure your settings, contact support@freedomsoft.com.