Many are adapting to SMS and MMS messaging in today’s business communication world. It is one of the most potent tools for catching customers’ attention directly. For this, it is necessary to ensure that all messages sent are delivered according to compliance and efficiently. Application-to-person (A2P) texting helps businesses communicate with a group of people at once without the need for manual texting. Therefore, the demand for A2P is growing tremendously, which has made it mandatory for carriers to provide compliant, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
Therefore, in this scenario, 10DLC comes to the rescue. It is the advancement of A2P messaging and has been created in direct response to the call for compliant, well-organized, cost-effective solutions.
When 10DLC is adopted, it helps achieve higher delivery rates, better compliance, and a wide reach, along with cost savings. For Carriers supporting business messaging, 10DLC is essential.
A2P Messaging
A2P stands for Application-to-Person messaging. It is a form of communication software in which a software application sends messages to a mobile phone user. These messages are commonly one-way, which means the recipient never looks forward to replying.
Businesses use A2P messaging to send their customers automated text messages. These messages are sent for various occasions, such as delivery alerts, two-step verification security codes, promotional offers, account notifications, and more.
10DLC
10DLC (10-digit long code) numbers are the local long code phone numbers that mobile network providers approve A2P messaging. Approval is given when the local long code number and a verified 10DLC brand and campaign are registered.
A “10DLC brand” refers to business organizations registered for sending text messages using a 10-digit code (10DLC) phone number. It is the company that is authorized to send the text messages.
Whereas a “10DLC Campaign” is the exact type of communication initiative linked to that brand’s marketing initiative. This requires separate registration for detailing purposes and calculated use of the text messages sent.
Both are part of a system designed for regulating and managing business-to-consumer SMS messaging systems within the United States. It makes sure that transparency exists, thus preventing any form of spam.
A 10DLC registered long code number helps support a large volume of text messages. All carriers in America have made it mandatory for businesses that use A2P messaging services to use 10DLC registered numbers on their networks.
To understand 10DLC and its benefits, it is necessary to understand how business text messaging has advanced over the years.
Advancement of Business Text Messaging
Many phone number providers did not have the facility to send mass SMS messages until the late 2010s due to various challenges pertaining to compliance issues, limited reach, and inefficient communication.
Later, in the following years, telecom providers and regulatory bodies collaborated and started phone numbers that could handle bulk messaging.
At present, the most budget-friendly way for businesses to send bulk SMS to customers is through A2P (application-to-person) texting. The advent of A2P has helped remove the manual texting process, as now businesses can send bulk text messages.
Almost all American business entities can send messages from three types of numbers,
Toll-free Long Codes
The toll-free long code numbers are one of the most affordable ways to send two-way SMS in large volumes. By using Toll-free long code numbers, thousands of messages could be sent and received daily at high output rates.
These phone numbers are good for company branding. Apart from that, businesses could make use of phone number search tools for finding branded vanity toll-free numbers (like 1-833-VoIP)
Registration is compulsory for Toll-free long code numbers. Few of the carriers sometimes make these registration processes more prolonged and complex. Therefore, selecting carriers that simplify the registration process is advisable.
Short Codes
These numbers are good for traffic with high density volume, like large-scale marketing campaigns from a custom recognizable number. Even though they are fast in throughput, they cost more to set up and maintain.
Even though it supports two-way messaging, the high costs and restrictions, such as the limited length—around 5 to 6 digits of the phone number—sending text messages with no voice calls, catering to specific regions only, and various other factors, restrict its ability to handle high volumes of short text messages.
10 DLC Numbers
Even though shortcodes handle high-volume traffic, they are overburdened with high setup costs. Local long-code phone numbers are mainly designed for P2P (Person-to-Person) texting, and their messaging volume is limited.
Using them for A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging could breach CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) guidelines, which could lead to compliance concerns.
To overcome all this, 10DLC was created. It helps address the call volume and challenges regarding compliance with long local codes and overcomes short codes’ high costs and various other limitations.
With 10DLC, the business can easily control both channels without the usual drawbacks, which positions 10DLC as the ideal choice for present-day A2P messaging. Customers are protected from unwanted spam, which helps the business connect with prospective customers.
10DLC was introduced in 2021. Presently, it is compulsory for businesses planning to send long text messages in the United States of America using (+1) long code numbers.
VoIP Office recommends that its customers complete 10DLC registration checks by establishing a Brand and Campaign to avoid extra charges or even fines from carriers.
Scope of 10DLC
10DLC helps businesses send A2P (Application to Person) text messages using long local codes in the country of America.
The telecom carriers mainly established the concept of 10DLC to provide an accredited plan of action for businesses to send SMS and MMS messages using long codes.
The main objective is to protect customers from undesirable spam messages while allowing businesses to better connect with them. This helped improve SMS delivery performance since it helps in connecting better with customers and sending more messages than P2P (peer-to-peer).
Benefits of 10DLC
With the help of 10DLC numbers, businesses offer essential combinations like the capacity to send bulk text messages that help keep the overheads expertly low. A few benefits that keep 10DLC apart are,
Higher SMS Traffic & Faster Delivery
10 DLC phone numbers help reduce the gap between the limitations of toll-free long codes and short code numbers. This helps in the messagevity of messages as they are sent quickly to the target audience on time.
Reduce Cost with Flexibility
10DLC phone numbers help to reduce costs as it comes in a budget-friendly price. This automatically propels businesses to make 10DLC the ideal choice compared to short codes.
Businesses can convert existing phone lines to 10 DLC numbers, which allows them to send more messages without incurring more costs.
For a thorough price breakdown of 10DLC costs, please get in touch with the VoIP Office for fees and charges.
Messages Delivered as per Compliance
Since 10DLC phone numbers are pre-approved by the network operators, they help establish better compliance with carrier regulations. This ensures that messages reach the intended recipients without any problems.
Due to better deliverability, 10 DLC messages reach the customer’s inbox and are not like short code messages that get caught in spam filters. This is all happening due to better reputation scores allocated by TCR (The Campaign Registry). Better scores will lead to mobile carriers giving messages their due importance.
TCR (The Campaign Registry) helps manage A2P 10DLC messaging registration for businesses in America.It improves message deliverability, reduces spamming, and ensures compliance with regulations.
The businesses have to register their brand (business sending messages) and campaigns (messaging use cases like promotions or alerts), and only then do they become eligible to send SMS/MMS via 10-digit long codes.
Instant Trust
Customers are more likely to trust and believe messages they receive from a local phone number. It is almost like getting a text from a favorite cinema house or from a favorite restaurant – which looks familiar.
It’s like receiving a text from your favorite restaurant or doctor’s office—it feels familiar and genuine, which fosters positive interactions and loyalty.
It helps customers start the conversation and interact with the brand as if they are talking to a person or customer support, which showcases the Customer-First approach.
10DLC: Is It for You?
10DLC applies to many businesses that have specific needs. A few of those include companies looking for,
Smart Messaging Choice
These Companies look forward to balancing volume and cost. If businesses send out messages in bulk and the capacity of short and toll-free long codes is between them, then 10DLC becomes the choice.
When compared to shortcodes, 10DLC numbers offer the flexibility of higher throughput without incurring high costs when using shortcodes.
Budget-Friendly Messaging
10 DLC numbers are perfect for businesses as they offer low-cost alternatives compared to short-code numbers, which is ideal for companies looking for budget-friendly messaging solutions.
Stay Compliant & Avoid Fines
Carriers pre-approve 10DLC numbers, so they follow strict message regulations, reducing the risk of violations. This helps keep messages secure, avoiding fines.
Flexible Messaging Solution
10DLC helps convert landlines for bulk messaging without changing the phone number. It adjusts to the changing message volumes without incurring high overhead costs, which makes it a practical, flexible choice for many companies.
Documents for 10DLC Registration
- Business Information, such as company name, type, and industry.
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) helps verify the legitimacy of the businesses.
- Registered physical address along with phone number and email.
- This is a campaign use case that explains messaging purposes, like whether the requirement is for sending marketing details, notifications, or even just for providing customer support.
- Examples of the SMS/MMS message content the businesses plan to send.
- This is proof of the customer’s consent to receive SMS/MMS messages and the option for them to opt-out.
- Website address, which helps to verify business legitimacy and the intent for sending messages.
Conclusion
Businesses send bulk messages daily, and with 10 DLC, businesses have the option for a faster, more trustworthy messaging channel. VoIP Office simplifies the 10DLC registration process, ensuring fast approvals with an easy setup option. The tools we provide help maintain compliance and maximize message deliverability.
VoIP Office provides a user-friendly platform that manages 10DLC registrations efficiently. Our support team is an expert in ensuring businesses navigate the process in a budget-friendly, smooth way.
Whether a company is transitioning from traditional messaging or scaling up its messaging facility, we provide tools to help businesses optimize their outreach.
Take advantage of 10DLC by strengthening customer connections today with the help of VoIP Office.