> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kero.chat/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up your SMS Agent

> Create and configure an SMS Agent in Kero so you can start sending SMS messages.

An **SMS Agent** defines the settings Kero uses when sending SMS messages, including your Sender ID and message configuration.

Before you can send SMS messages, your Kero account must have SMS connectivity configured.

## Before you start

Kero provides SMS connectivity through **BulkSMS**.

If you already have a BulkSMS account, it can be linked to your Kero account. If you don't have one, Kero can help you configure SMS connectivity.

Make sure that:

* SMS connectivity has been configured for your Kero account.
* You know which countries you intend to send messages to.
* Any required Sender ID registration or approval has been completed, or is being arranged.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **SMS Sender ID requirements vary by destination country and mobile network.**
>
> Some countries require Sender IDs to be registered or approved before they can be used.
>
> Check [SMS Sender ID requirements by country](https://kero.chat/help/messaging-resources/messaging-directories/sms-sender-id-requirements-by-country.md) before sending to a new destination.

## 1. Create your SMS Agent

From your Kero account:

1. Go to **Channels**.
2. Select **SMS**.
3. Select **Create Agent**.

You'll be taken to the **New SMS Agent** page.

## 2. Enter your SMS Agent Name

Enter a name that will help you identify this SMS Agent in Kero.

Choose a clear, descriptive name, particularly if you intend to use the Agent for other messaging features, such as **SMS fallback**.

For example: `Example UK SMS`

The **SMS Agent Name** is an internal identifier in Kero. Customers won't see this name when they receive your SMS messages.

The sender name or number displayed to recipients is determined by your **SMS Sender ID**, subject to destination-country and network requirements.

## 3. Set the maximum message parts

Choose the maximum number of SMS parts that Kero can use when sending a single message.

Long SMS messages may be divided into multiple parts, depending on their length and character encoding.

The default maximum is **30 parts**.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Each SMS part is generally charged separately. A longer message may therefore cost more than a single-part SMS.
>
> Keeping messages concise can help reduce messaging costs.

For more information, see [SMS message length & character limits](https://kero.chat/help/product/channels/sms/sms-message-length-character-limits.md).

## 4. Configure Unicode handling

The **Automatically convert to Unicode** setting controls how Kero handles message content that may require Unicode encoding.

Standard SMS messages use the GSM character set. Characters outside this set, including many non-Latin characters and emojis, may require Unicode.

Unicode supports a wider range of characters, but has lower character limits per SMS part. This can increase the number of parts used by a message.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Review your message content and SMS part count before sending, particularly if your messages contain special characters, symbols or emojis.

Learn more in [SMS message length & character limits](https://kero.chat/help/product/channels/sms/sms-message-length-character-limits.md).

## 5. Select your SMS Sender ID

Select the **SMS Sender ID** you want to use for this Agent.

The Sender ID identifies the sender of the message when it appears on the recipient's device, subject to destination-country and mobile network rules.

If your Kero account is already connected to BulkSMS, available Sender IDs will appear in the **SMS Sender ID** dropdown.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Only Sender IDs available for your SMS configuration will appear here.
>
> If the Sender ID you want to use isn't available, it may need to be registered, approved or configured for your intended destination.

For additional guidance, see [About SMS Sender IDs](https://kero.chat/help/messaging-resources/sms-resources/about-sms-sender-ids.md).

If registration is required, see [Register an SMS Sender ID](https://kero.chat/help/messaging-resources/sms-resources/register-an-sms-sender-id.md).

## 6. Create the Agent

Once you've completed your SMS Agent settings, select **Create**.

Your new SMS Agent will appear in your **SMS Agents** list.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Creating an SMS Agent does not override Sender ID registration requirements or destination-country messaging restrictions.
>
> Before sending, make sure your SMS connectivity and Sender ID are correctly configured for the countries you intend to reach.

## What's next?

Once your SMS Agent and sending configuration are ready, you can begin preparing messages for your customers.

See [Send an SMS message](https://kero.chat/help/product/channels/sms/send-an-sms-message.md) for step-by-step instructions.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.