In the growing world of business texting, compliance with mobile carrier regulations is crucial to ensure that your messages reach your customers effectively and without being flagged as spam. One of the key regulations introduced is 10DLC (10-digit long code) registration, a system designed to improve SMS communication integrity. Here’s everything you need to know about 10DLC and how to comply with its requirements.
What is 10DLC?
10DLC stands for 10-Digit Long Code. It refers to a standard 10-digit phone number used by businesses for SMS and text messaging. Essentially, it's a regular mobile number (like 423-218-0111) that businesses use to communicate with their customers.
Important Note: Toll-free numbers are not included in the 10DLC regulations. If you're using a toll-free number, you don't need to worry about these specific rules.
10DLC vs. Short Code: Key Differences
While 10DLC numbers are great for regular business texting, short codes are used for more high-volume and large-scale messaging campaigns. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Feature | 10DLC | Short Code |
Cost | Lower | Higher |
Message Volume | Moderate | High |
Approval Time | Short | Longer |
Use Cases | Marketing, Customer support, notifications | Marketing, promotions, high-volume alerts |
10DLC numbers offer a cost-effective alternative to short codes for businesses that need reliable messaging solutions without the high upfront costs and long approval times associated with short codes.
What is 10DLC Registration?
10DLC Registration is the process businesses must go through to verify their phone numbers and their messaging campaigns. This ensures that they are legitimate and not involved in spam or scam activities. Carriers need to confirm that you're a legitimate business, which will allow you to send A2P (Application-to-Person) messages through your registered 10DLC number.
The registration involves two parts:
Brand Registration: Verifying your business identity with mobile carriers.
Campaign Registration: Defining the use case for your texting services, such as marketing, customer support, or alerts.
Why Was 10DLC Implemented?
Why Was 10DLC Implemented?
The primary goal of 10DLC is to help carriers distinguish between legitimate businesses and spammers. With this system, mobile carriers can filter out malicious content while ensuring that businesses can still reach their customers without issues.
Here’s how 10DLC benefits businesses:
Higher message delivery rates.
Reduced likelihood of your messages being flagged as spam.
Enhanced business legitimacy in the eyes of customers.
Why Should You Use 10DLC for Your Business?
Businesses should consider adopting 10DLC for several reasons:
Improved Deliverability: Messages sent from 10DLC numbers are less likely to be flagged as spam, leading to better deliverability and higher engagement rates.
Compliance with Regulations: The implementation of 10DLC ensures that businesses comply with the guidelines set by carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, helping to avoid fines and penalties.
Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to using shortcodes or toll-free numbers, 10DLC can be more affordable while still supporting high volumes of messaging.
Consumer Trust: 10DLC registration and adherence to compliance guidelines help maintain consumer trust by ensuring that messages come from verified and legitimate sources.
Is 10DLC registration mandatory for all the businesses texting?
Yes, the requirement for 10DLC registration has been emphasized by major U.S. wireless carriers and coordinated through The Campaign Registry (TCR), the organization that manages this process. The purpose behind this mandate is to control spam and fraud in Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging. This compliance effort is backed by several regulatory bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), making registration necessary for businesses using 10-digit long code numbers for SMS communication.
After December 01, 2024, many carriers fully block unregistered 10DLC messages bound for U.S. numbers, with significant penalties for non-compliance, such as blocked messages or fines. These measures ensure that consumers can trust the legitimacy of messages they receive, and non-compliant businesses risk disruptions to their messaging capabilities as well as potential fines that can accumulate quickly.
For businesses, this effectively means that if you’re sending A2P messages via 10DLC numbers, you must register through TCR, often facilitated by messaging service providers like Falkon SMS, who serve as intermediaries in the registration process.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with 10DLC regulations can lead to significant financial penalties. Non-compliance can result in the following:
Per-Message Fines: Businesses may incur fines for each message that violates 10DLC guidelines.
Carrier Blocking: Non-compliant messages could be blocked or filtered by carriers, which means they won't reach your customers.
Lawsuits under TCPA: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) mandates that businesses must obtain consent before sending marketing messages. Failing to follow this rule can expose your business to lawsuits and fines.
Reputation Damage: Continuous violations can lead to the loss of consumer trust and harm your brand's reputation.
Key Requirements and Regulations for 10DLC Registration
For 10DLC registration to be successful, businesses need to meet several key requirements:
Brand Registration: Your business must provide legitimate information, including your company’s name, address, and tax ID number.
Campaign Registration: You will need to select the use case or the exact purpose of your messages, such as customer support, marketing, or appointment reminders.
Opt-In Proof: Businesses must be able to demonstrate that customers have agreed to receive messages. This can include checkbox agreements on forms or explicit consent via text.
Opt-Out Mechanism: An easy and clear way for customers to opt out of receiving messages must be provided, like using a keyword such as "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE."
How to Register Your 10DLC Campaign
Follow these steps to complete your 10DLC registration:
Prepare Your Business Information: You'll need your company name, tax ID, website, and opt-in procedures.
Complete Brand Registration: This verifies your business with mobile carriers.
Submit Campaign Registration: Here, you’ll define your messaging use case. You may need to provide sample messages for approval.
Opt-In Proof: Make sure to document how your contacts have agreed to receive your texts. This can include opt-in forms, website prompts, or keyword-based opt-ins.
How Long Does 10DLC Registration Take?
One common question businesses have is how long it takes to complete the 10DLC registration process. Typically, the registration process takes 3 to 7 business days to complete. However, this can vary depending on several factors:
Brand Registration: This usually gets approved quickly, often instantly.
Campaign Registration: This step can take between 2 to 5 days, as it requires approval from mobile carriers and a review of your opt-in methods.
Factors That Influence 10DLC Registration Approval Speed
Carrier Vetting: Once you submit your brand and campaign details to TCR, carriers may perform additional vetting through Direct Connectivity Agents (DCAs). This step ensures that your messaging campaign adheres to carrier-specific requirements.
Complexity of the Campaign: Some campaigns, especially those in sensitive industries like financial services or healthcare, may require additional documentation or clarification, which could delay the process.
Fees and Documentation: Registration fees can vary depending on the message type and the carrier. Be sure to ensure all documentation is complete and accurate to avoid delays.
Best Practices for 10DLC SMS Campaigns
To ensure your 10DLC campaigns remain compliant, follow these best practices:
Content Guidelines: Ensure your messages are clear, concise, and compliant with carrier standards.
Obtain Consent: Always collect explicit consent from recipients before sending promotional messages. Keep a record of opt-ins.
Timing Restrictions: Messages should only be sent between 8 AM and 9 PM to avoid being considered intrusive.
Opt-Out Management: Provide recipients with an easy way to opt-out of receiving messages, such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.” Honor opt-out requests within 72 hours to remain compliant.
Additional Ways to Ensure Message Deliverability
To avoid your messages being marked as spam, follow these best practices:
Avoid Using Shortened URLs: Refrain from using third-party URL shorteners like Bitly, as they are often associated with spam.
Use Plain Language: Avoid using excessive emojis, ALL CAPS, or multiple dollar signs in your messages.
Keep Your Messages Relevant and Personal: Send messages to appropriate customer segments for better engagement. Keep your communications targeted and meaningful.
Providing Opt-Ins
Opt-in language is a must to ensure your customers have given clear consent to receive messages. Some ways to collect opt-ins effectively include:
Opt-In Checkbox on contact forms.
SMS Chat Widget on your website.
Keyword-based Opt-Ins like "Text DEALS for discounts."
Verbal Opt-Ins: Acceptable with proper documentation.
Additional Tips for Staying Compliant
Avoid Spam Filters: Stick to the rules of responsible texting. Always ensure your messages are legitimate and useful to your customers. Avoid sending unsolicited messages or spam-like content.
Don’t Overwhelm Your Customers: Keep your message frequency within reason, and don’t send too many messages in a short period.
Getting Started with 10DLC Registration
If your business is ready to register for 10DLC and start compliant messaging, here’s what to do:
Register Your Brand: Visit the Campaign Registry and submit the required details about your business, such as your business name, EIN (Employer Identification Number), and type of business.
Create Your Campaign: Define the use case of your campaign (e.g., marketing, customer service, transactional) and specify the type of messages you plan to send (e.g., promotional, informational).
Vetting and Carrier Fees: Complete any additional carrier-specific vetting and pay the applicable registration fees. Fees may vary depending on the carrier and the volume of messages sent.
Wait for Approval: After submitting your registration details, there will be a short waiting period (usually a few days) for the campaign to be vetted.
Start Messaging: Once your campaign is approved, you can begin sending messages, making sure to follow all 10DLC compliance guidelines.
Getting started with 10DLC registration through Falkon SMS is a straightforward, quick, and hassle-free process. Our expert team will guide you through every step, from brand verification to campaign setup, ensuring you’re fully compliant and ready to engage with your audience.
Conclusion
Navigating 10DLC registration might seem daunting at first, but it's essential for the future of business texting. By registering your 10DLC number and following the guidelines, you'll not only avoid penalties but also improve your message deliverability and customer trust.
If you need help with the process, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to assist you with everything from brand registration to proving opt-ins and ensuring your compliance with mobile carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does 10DLC registration cost?
While the registration itself is typically free, there may be carrier fees associated with each message sent. With Falkon SMS, however, 10DLC fees remain very affordable, with no hidden costs—so you can stay compliant without breaking the bank. Be sure to complete all documentation accurately to avoid any delays.
2. Can I use my existing number for 10DLC messaging?
Yes, you can use your existing landline or VOIP number, but it must be registered for 10DLC to ensure compliance.
3. What happens if I don’t register my 10DLC number?
Your messages may be flagged as spam, resulting in lower deliverability and possibly carrier penalties.
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