MEF CONNECTS Business Messaging is where industry leaders, businesses and technology providers explore the latest advancements in business messaging . This year’s event focuses on tech innovation and market needs for brands and consumers in 2025 and beyond – plus features an exclusive ‘Audience with the UK Home Office’; The UK Telecom Fraud Charter Update – Industry Briefing & Feedback Session.
 UK Home Office: Telecom Fraud Charter Update – Industry Briefing & Discussion
- Daniel Ager, Head of Telecommunications Fraud Prevention Policy – Home Office
The Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF), in partnership with the UK Home Office, invites you to a focused session on the latest updates to the UK Telecom Fraud Charter, with specific relevance to the A2P messaging sector. This session provides a key opportunity for stakeholders across the messaging ecosystem to hear directly from the Home Office on its ongoing anti-fraud initiatives, review progress since the Charter’s launch, and engage in open dialogue to help shape future phases of this important work. The Home Office and MEF are committed to strengthening industry collaboration and delivering practical, coordinated action against telecoms fraud. Your input is vital in evolving this initiative.
Analyst Briefing: A2P Messaging in Flux: Navigating Growth Amidst Channel Disruption
- Jakub Konieczny, Senior Analyst – Analysys Mason
The A2P messaging market is growing, but not without significant shifts. According to Analysys Mason, Businesses spent USD28.6 billion on A2P messaging worldwide in 2024; this will grow to USD34.5 billion by 2030 However, the growth might not evenly distributed.Drawing on insights from Jakub Olek, senior analyst at Analysys Mason, this session will critically examine the pressures reshaping A2P messaging. Are enterprises future-proofing their communication strategies? Can SMS retain a meaningful role?
SMS at a Crossroads – Navigating Fraud and Diversification in Business Messaging
- Nick Millward, Advisor – MEF
- David Creasey-Benjamin, Strategic Account Manager – VonageÂ
- James Lasbrey, CSO – Global Telco ConsultÂ
- Mariola Knapik, Head of Carrier Operations and Messaging Business – Tele2 AB
Once the dominant force in mobile enteprise communication, SMS now faces mounting pressure from fraud and richer, more flexible alternatives like RCS, APIs, OTT apps. In this candid session, experts from Vonage, GTC, and Tele2 AB assess the continued relevance of SMS amid shifting market demands, rising costs, and growing scrutiny over its commercial viability. We’ll explore whether SMS can adapt to remain part of the future messaging mix—or whether it’s time for businesses to accelerate the shift to next-generation channels.
The Urgent Case for A2P SMS: Preserving Trust and Reach
- Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
SMS remains a critical part of the global messaging ecosystem, but its future is increasingly uncertain. In this session, Dario Betti, CEO of the Mobile Ecosystem Forum, outlines MEF’s latest initiatives aimed at protecting and revitalizing A2P SMS. From tackling consumer fraud, and artificial traffic, improving transparency and commercial models, this presentation highlights the concrete steps being taken—and the areas where industry collaboration is urgently needed. MEF is calling on operators, aggregators, and enterprises to engage and contribute to a collective effort to preserve the value and integrity of SMS in business communications – a channel still unmatched for reach and acceptance.
Fighting SMS Phishing: The Role of the MEF Sender ID Registry in UK, Ireland, Spain
- Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
- Stefano Nicoletti, Head of UK SID Registry – MEF
In this session, Stefano Nicoletti, Head of MEF SMS Sender ID Registry at MEF, will present the latest developments in the Sender ID Registry initiative. He will discuss the lastes developments in UK, Ireland and Spain as well as the new additions to the registry. The industry coalation behind the Registry reduce fraudulent messages, and restore confidence in SMS as a reliable communication tool.
Trust via Self Regulation: The MEF Business SMS Code of Conduct
- Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
- Nicholas Rossman, Programme Director – MEF
Trust is the cornerstone of any effective business messaging ecosystem. This session introduces the MEF Business SMS Code of Conduct—a self-regulatory framework developed by industry stakeholders to establish clear principles for transparency, responsibility, and good commercial practice in A2P SMS. As challenges such as fraud, grey routes, and pricing opacity threaten the channel’s long-term sustainability, this code aims to protect all participants: brands, aggregators, operators, and ultimately, consumers. Join us to learn how adopting the code supports market integrity and fosters confidence in SMS as a trusted business communications channel.
Accountability in SMS Messaging: KYC Registries and the Future of Message Integrity
- Nicholas Rossman, Programme Director – MEF
- Eli Katz, Founder & CEO – Xconnect
- Tor Soevik, COO – The Campaign RegistryÂ
As messaging becomes an essential part of everyday communication, ensuring its security, accountability, and trustworthiness is more critical than ever. This session explores the MEF Trusted Messaging Working Group’s efforts to establish registries within SMS services—initiatives that enable verified sender identities, reduce fraud, and strengthen compliance across the messaging value chain. Discover how emerging standards, authentication protocols, and industry collaboration are shaping the future of trusted messaging—enhancing transparency and restoring consumer confidence in one of the most widely used business communication channels.
RCS Reality Check: Commercial Rollouts, ROI, and What Comes Next
- Nick Millward, Advisor – MEF
- Barinderpal Mumick, VP of Business Development and Operations – Dotgo
RCS Business Messaging has had some major developments in the last year —but how far have we really come? In this candid session, Nick Lane, Chief Insight Officer at Mobilesquared, and Barinderpal Mumick, VP of Business Development and Operations at Dotgo, take stock of RCS’s global rollout, adoption by brands, and operator readiness. Drawing on real-world data, commercial use cases, and ecosystem insights, they will explore the business models driving (or hindering) ROI, assess where RCS is gaining traction, and offer a forward-looking view on what needs to happen next for RCS to deliver on its promise at scale.
The RCS Evolution: the Next Steps in RCS Business Messaging
- Nick Millward, Advisor – MEF
- Claudine Bell, Partner Business Manager, Messaging and Payments – Virgin Media O2
- Tim Atkinson, Business Development – Google
- James Gwillim, Business Development Manager – Twillio
- Barinderpal Mumick, VP of Business Development and Operations – Dotgo
RCS Business Messaging has had some major developments in the last year —but how far have we really come? In this candid session, Nick Lane, Chief Insight Officer at Mobilesquared, and Barinderpal Mumick, VP of Business Development and Operations at Dotgo, take stock of RCS’s global rollout, adoption by brands, and operator readiness. Drawing on real-world data, commercial use cases, and ecosystem insights, they will explore the business models driving (or hindering) ROI, assess where RCS is gaining traction, and offer a forward-looking view on what needs to happen next for RCS to deliver on its promise at scale.
Out There Media – Disrupting Marketing with Rich Messaging
- Kerstin Trikalitis, CEO – Out There MediaÂ
As enterprise messaging enters a new era, this expert panel explores the transformation of Application-to-Person (A2P) communication—from traditional SMS to next-generation Rich Business Messaging (RBM).
The Evolution of Mobile Messaging: How Marketing Use Cases will Grow Messaging
- Sam Barker, VP of Telecoms Market Research – Juniper Research
Data is reshaping how enterprises approach messaging—enabling more personalized, timely, and effective customer engagement. In this session, Sam Barker, VP of Telecoms Market Research at Juniper Research, shares exclusive insights into the evolving role of data in business messaging. From AI-powered targeting to privacy-centric strategies, this presentation explores how data-driven approaches are transforming engagement across SMS, RCS, and rich messaging platforms—and what trends will define the next wave of growth.
Leveraging Telecom APIs and Open Gateway: Secure Authentication in the Mobile Ecosystem
- Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
- John Wilkinson, CEO – TMT ID
- Viktorijia Radman, Telecom Business Director – Infobip
As the telecom industry evolves, Telco APIs are unlocking new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and enhanced services. This session dives into how telecom operators and third-party developers can leverage APIs to transform customer experiences, improve operational efficiency, and create new revenue streams.
OTT Business Messaging – the Challenge for SMS and RCS
- Nick Millward, Advisor – MEF
- Dave Boddington, Group Product Manager, Digital Channels – Infobip
- Bradley Betts, Strategic Account Manager – Sinch
As the messaging landscape evolves, Over-The-Top (OTT) services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, and in-app social messaging etc present both opportunities and challenges for traditional SMS and Rich Business Messaging (RBM). This session explores how OTT platforms are impacting mobile messaging and the strategies SMS and RBM can adopt to stay competitive.
 AI in Mobile – Peter Morgan, DeepLP / Oxford University
- Nick Millward, Advisor – MEF
- Peter Morgan, Founder & CEO – Deep Learning Partnership / Head Tutor on the AI for Business Leaders course at Oxford University
Advancements in AI – Transforming the Mobile Industry with Peter Morgan.Join Peter Morgan, Founder & CEO at Deep Learning Partnership and Head Tutor on the AI for Business Leaders course at Oxford University, as he delves into the cutting-edge advancements in Artificial Intelligence and how these innovations are driving change across the mobile industry.
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