Texting via landline or VoIP numbers has grown increasingly popular over the last several years. Mobile carriers want to ensure texting stays a channel of communication that consumers can trust, that’s free of SPAM and unsolicited messages. To do this, they’ve created 10DLC.
So what is 10DLC and why does it matter?
10DLC is short for 10 digit-long-code, which is a channel created by carriers for business to consumer messaging over local landline numbers. Carriers have worked together to adopt a set of standards and registration processes to better understand who is using 10DLC and what they’re sending across the network.
What does this mean for my business?
All businesses that are taking advantage of text messaging using a A2P (application to person) carrier with a local phone number are required by U.S. mobile carriers to register with a chosen third-party partner. Businesses are then vetted and given a “trust score” that determines their daily message throughput. In addition to protecting consumers, controlling message quotas in this way allows the carriers to increase message speed and offer businesses better deliverability. By not registering and continuing to use a 10DLC phone number to send text messages, the business will eventually experience disruption of service. Certain carriers will stop supporting SMS traffic from 10DLC numbers that are unregistered, meaning messages to customers on that carrier will fail and the sender will receive an error message.
What do I need to do?
As a customer of TeligentIP, we will handle the registration process for you. We will require specific information regarding your texting campaigns including use case, volume, and some additional details. If you are unsure if your traffic is registered or you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to your account manager or contact our support team.
10DLC Frequently Asked Questions
10DLC stands for 10-digit long code and it’s a channel the mobile carriers have designated for business-to-consumer (A2P) messaging over local phone numbers.
All of the large mobile carriers including T-Mobile/Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and US Cellular.
A Trust Score is assigned by an independent agency that reviews the use case for your text campaign. This trust score is based upon whether your use case is considered high risk or low risk. Some examples of a high-risk use case include debt relief or political campaigns. Other messages such as account updates & reminders would be considered less risk resulting in a higher trust score.
Yes, any business using a 10DLC number for A2P texting needs to register.
No, shortcode and toll-free numbers are regulated differently and are not subject to these registrations.
No, 10DLC only applies to US Domestic messaging at this time.