What is 10DLC SMS?

Governments worldwide have started mandating 10DLC registrations in response to the rise in SMS fraud. The US government has declared that all SMS/MMS messages sent to US phone numbers from unregistered 10DLC numbers will be fully blocked from September 1, 2023. Elsewhere, the consequences of not registering your number include increased carrier fees and other penalties. 

10DLC registration helps differentiate legitimate messages from spam. Here’s everything you need to know about registering your 10DLC phone number to make sure your messaging campaigns reach their intended customers and don’t get flagged as fraudulent. 

What is 10DLC registration?

10DLC registration is the process of registering your 10-digit long code (10DLC) phone number with a specific campaign (known as the messaging use case, or the reason for sending your message). Registration shows that your number and messages associated with it are approved by a mobile carrier. This approval helps verify your organization’s legitimacy and the purpose of your messages.  

Some common campaign types for 10DLC phone numbers are:

• Marketing: Promotional offers, loyalty program updates, and more
• Transactional: Order confirmations, delivery notifications, or password reset codes.
• Customer support: Real-time support through SMS chat.

Registration is especially important for application-to-person (A2P) 10DLC phone numbers. Most phones filter and sort messages based on the campaign type. For example, transactional messages and OTPs will be prioritized, whereas other marketing messages might be delivered late. 

Ultimately, registering your 10DLC phone number can build your brand’s credibility, prevent compliance issues, and ensure campaign success.

How does the 10DLC process differ for direct customers vs. resellers?

The 10DLC registration process can vary depending on your business type. A brand that directly communicates with customers can register its business entity directly.  

However, if you’re an independent software vendor (ISV) who sends SMS and MMS messages on your customer's behalf, you must register separately for each customer. 

For example, consider a hypothetical messaging platform for businesses in the United States Ovilp Corp. It should register its own brand and each of its customers' brands as individual brands. 

How does the 10DLC registration process work?

You can register your 10DLC phone number via campaign service providers (CSP) who liaise between your business and carrier. This CSP is usually the A2P provider or messaging service you use to send your messaging campaigns.

Here’s a general overview of the registration process. 

1. Submit your details  

The first step is sharing your business and campaign details with your CSP or A2P provider. This includes information like:

• Business type
• Business registration number
• Phone number
• Physical address
• Tax ID
• Website details 
• Campaign type and purpose
• Opt-in and opt-out methodology
• Sample messages

You might also have to submit extra information depending on your A2P provider. Some A2P providers offer pre-defined campaign categories to choose from, while others might ask you to create custom campaigns.

2. Register your campaign

Once you share all the relevant details with the A2P provider, they will send your 10DLC application to The Campaign Registry (TCR). TCR is a central database that stores information about registered 10DLC phone numbers and their associated campaigns and is managed collaboratively by phone carriers in the United States. 

3.  Vet your campaign

Once the A2P provider submits your campaign to TCR, mobile carriers will thoroughly vet it. This process verifies the legitimacy of your business and ensures your intended use aligns with the chosen campaign category. 

As all campaigns are manually verified by carriers, it can take anywhere from one to two weeks for your registration to be processed. 

You can track the status of your 10DLC registration through your A2P provider. You can send SMS or MMS messages immediately if your registration is approved. 

However, if your registration is rejected, you’ll have to share additional information depending on the feedback provided by the phone carrier and go through another round of vetting.

How much does it cost to register your 10DLC number?

There are three main costs associated with registering your 10DLC number, as shown in the table below. 

Here’s what each of these fees goes toward. 

Brand registration fee

This is a one-time fee to register your brand with the registry. It costs $4 for sole proprietors and low volume standard brands (those that have less than 6,000 messages per day). 

If your business sends over 6,000 messages, you must register as a standard brand, which costs $44 and includes extra vetting.  

Campaign vetting fee

This is another one-time payment, typically around $15 per campaign. It pays for the manual vetting process required to analyze each campaign's purpose and deliverability factors.

Monthly campaign fees

These are recurring fees you pay based on the type of campaign you're running, ranging from $1.50 to $10 per month. The first payment will be for three months and must be paid when your campaign is approved. After that, you’ll be charged either monthly or quarterly, depending on your A2P provider’s protocols. 

Here’s the fee breakdown for different campaign types. 

• Regular campaigns: $10 per month
• Low-volume mixed campaigns: $2 per month
• Political campaigns: $10 per month
• Charity campaigns: $3 per month
• Sole proprietor campaigns: $0.75 per month

Additional fees

In addition to the fees mentioned above, mobile carriers charge a fee for every message sent. This fee depends on the message type and your brand’s registration status. 

Unregistered brands must pay a higher surcharge, varying from $0.01 (AT&T and Verizon) to $0.006 (T-Mobile).

Standard brands might also sometimes opt to pay a Trust Score Appeal fee.  Every time a brand undergoes the vetting process, it’ll be given a Trust Score—this reflects your business’s legitimacy and potential for spam. You can apply for an appeal if you get a low trust score. 

Here are the rates:

• $10 if the score is less than 45 days old
• $40 if the score is more than 45 days old 

Also, Low-volume Standard and Standard brands pay an additional $40 when resubmitting a brand registration application. 

Note: These are the rates when publishing this blog and may vary in the future. We recommend checking with your A2P provider or mobile carrier. 

10DLC vs. Toll-free phone numbers

While most organizations prefer using a 10DLC number for A2P messaging and a toll-free number for voice calls, that’s not always the case. You can register your toll-free number via your service provider and they’ll send it to the Toll-Free Number Administration (TFNA) for approval. 

Unlike 10DLC registration, there’s no extra fee for registering your toll-free number. Plus, you can use it while your application is being processed.

However, toll-free numbers take longer to process (typically four to six weeks) and only support one-way broadcast messages. 

Depending on your preferences, you can use 10DLC or toll-free numbers for SMS/MMS messaging campaigns. Make sure you register either number type with the relevant authorities and comply with the SMS/MMS messaging regulations. 

Registering your 10DLC number with Plivo

If you’re looking for an A2P provider to manage your 10DLC phone numbers and campaigns, then Plivo can help you streamline the entire process in four simple steps.

1. Create a profile

Start by creating a profile for your brand on Plivo. Your profile will include details like your legal name, authorized contact, physical address, and business registration details. This is also where you’ll specify the type of business you run—private, public, nonprofit, government, or sole proprietor.

If you’re a reseller, you can use Plivo’s Profile API keys to set up individual profiles for each customer.

2. Register your brand 

The next step is registering your brand (or brands, in the case of resellers) with TCR. Standard brands (those who send more than 6000 messages per day) can opt for additional vetting at this point. 

Track the status of your brand registration application via the Plivo Console.

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3. Register your campaigns

Once your brand is registered, you can register each of your campaigns. Here’s where you add details like campaign description, type, sample messages, and opt-in workflows for each campaign to the form shown below.

Add your campaign details to the Plivo console and initiate the campaign registration process.

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In the console, you can track the status of your campaign registrations—active, processing, or failed. If a campaign is rejected, you can review the feedback provided and reapply.

4. Link campaigns to phone numbers

The final step is linking each active campaign to a phone number. Also, while there’s no limit on the number of campaigns a 10DLC phone number can be linked to, we recommend segmenting your numbers based on the campaign type—separating things like appointments, promotional offers, and customer support, for example. 

This makes it easy to keep track of numbers and helps you avoid snowshoeing—sending the same message from different numbers, which is considered a violation by most mobile carriers.

Why partner with Plivo?

Plivo offers enterprise-grade communication solutions that are secure, reliable, and scalable. We’re SOC 2 certified and compliant with major privacy and security regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA/HITECH, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001:2022. 

Plivo guarantees a 99.99% uptime owing to direct relationships with over 1,600 Tier 1 and local carriers. We’re backed by seven global POPs and two NOCs for continuous, round-the-clock coverage.

Curious to learn more about how Plivo can help you register your 10DLC phone numbers and manage your A2P messages? Request a trial account and explore our platform commitment-free.   

EasyPark. 23andMe. Idaho National Laboratory. T-Mobile. What do these seemingly random organizations all have in common?

These five brands experienced significant data breaches in 2023 that exposed sensitive user data and business records. A lack of multifactor or two-factor authentication as part of the login process contributed to these data breaches.

Although data breaches are common—with more than 3,200 cases in the US exposing 353 million users in 2023—many can be avoided with simple security measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA). These added security measures ensure the login request comes from the same user who created the account. 

Multiple verification options, including email, voice, and other biometrics, are available. For most businesses, SMS verification with a one-time passcode is the easiest and most convenient way to authenticate a login request.

Here’s why: SMS (text subscription) is the ideal channel for user verification communication. 

• More than 97% of Americans and 7 billion people worldwide use a cell phone. 
• People look at 99% of text messages, usually within 15 minutes of receiving them, whereas other channels, such as email, lack that immediacy. 
• Over 75% of consumers are OK with receiving SMS messages from brands they’ve opted in.

Even if you’re already familiar with SMS verification, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations SMS verification services offer. In this guide, we’ll dive deeper into SMS verification and how the latest APIs help authenticate users to keep your business and customer data safe. 

What is SMS verification?

SMS verification is a security technique that employs Short Message Service (SMS) to verify the identity of users during online activities such as transactions, account logins, or accessing sensitive information. It is widely adopted by websites, apps, banks, and social networks as a method to strengthen security and ensure that access is granted only to verified users.

The primary function of SMS verification is to introduce an additional security layer on top of the standard username and password. This extra security is crucial for businesses looking to protect themselves from unauthorized access, identity theft, and other cyber threats.

SMS verification is often referred to by several terms that, while similar, emphasize different aspects of this security feature:

• Two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) highlight the addition of extra security layers.
• One-time passwords (OTPs) focus on the generation of single-use codes that enhance security by ensuring that access codes cannot be reused.
• SMS authentication refers to the broad application of text messages as a means to confirm a user’s identity.

Is SMS secure?

SMS verification is more secure than passwords alone. By adding a second factor, SMS authentication makes it more difficult for bad actors to steal credentials and hack accounts. 

What is SMS authentication?

SMS verification and SMS authentication are two phrases that are often used interchangeably. However, these are different terms worth understanding. 

SMS authentication happens during ongoing customer interactions and includes MFA (multi-factor authentication) or 2FA, such as at login or on high-value transactions, customer service calls, etc.

SMS verification when your business first associates details with a customer account: at signup or when the customer provides new contact information like an email address or phone number.  

How does SMS verification work?

SMS text verification lets apps, websites, banks, and other businesses double-check a user’s identity. Companies can verify if the person requesting to log in to an account is who they say they are by sending a one-time passcode via SMS to the number registered with the account. The recipient enters the code into the login page or app to complete the login process. 

Here’s what this process involves: 

• Step 1: A user logs into your remote server with their username and password. 
• Step 2: The server cross-checks the username and password. If they don’t match, the server denies access to the person. 
• Step 3: If the credentials match, the server generates an OTP (one-time password) and sends it to the user via SMS, which is valid for a few minutes. 
• Step 4: The user enters the password into the login screen, and if it’s correct, the server grants access.

SMS verification is more secure since a hacker needs (at least) two pieces of information instead of just a password. This extra step makes it difficult for hackers to steal credentials and hack accounts.

Users and businesses like the convenience of SMS-based verification. Additionally, best-in-class SMS authentication systems, like Plivo’s Verify API, can deliver passwords via voice call.

Advantages of SMS verification

There are several advantages of SMS verification. 

• Enhanced security: SMS verification makes it difficult for unauthorized individuals to access accounts.
• Improved user experience: SMS verification is a fast and convenient way for users to verify their identity. 
• Cost-effectiveness: SMS verification is generally more affordable than other verification methods.
• Scalability: SMS verification can easily scale to accommodate a growing user base.
• Global reach: SMS is a widely used communication channel suitable for businesses in different countries and regions.
• Reduced fraud: SMS verification helps prevent fraud by verifying the authenticity of user accounts.
• Compliance: SMS verification can help businesses comply with data protection and security regulations by providing a secure authentication method.

While these advantages make SMS verification the right choice for most organizations, there are some drawbacks to using this security measure. 

Challenges of SMS verification

SMS verification comes with a few disadvantages. For one thing, it’s possible for users to lose their phones or neglect to carry them with them, locking them out of systems and resources that they need.

A more significant disadvantage is the cost to an organization of sending text messages for each authentication transaction. Even if an outbound text message costs only half a cent, those costs can add up. Most organizations consider 2FA messaging a cost of doing business, since the cost of unauthorized access to systems and accounts can be far greater.

If a hacker has physical access to someone’s phone, the “something you have” factor is compromised. And hackers don’t necessarily need to hold the phone in their hands. Attacks such as SIM swapping or SIM jacking and social engineering of mobile network operators’ staff can gain hackers access to SMS messages sent to users’ phones. If a hacker gets both password credentials and the second authentication factor, there’s no keeping them out of targeted systems.

SMS verification also depends on having access to a wireless network. The one-time passcode SMS won’t be delivered if the phone is out of network coverage.

Finally, there’s a privacy issue — for SMS verification to work, an organization has to have access to someone’s phone number. While it’s reasonable for an employer to request its employees’ numbers for 2FA, consumers might balk at registering for an account and providing contact information before they can access resources. People aren’t always willing to share that information. Storage of user identification data should be governed by a published privacy policy.

Nevertheless, despite possible drawbacks, SMS verification in the form of OTPs for 2FA is an effective approach to enhancing authentication.

Overcome key business challenges with SMS verification

1. Avoid SMS traffic pumping fraud 

Also called artificially inflated traffic, SMS traffic pumping fraud occurs when fraudsters use the phone number input field to receive a one-time passcode (OTP), an app download link, or anything else via SMS. Fraudsters can then generate a large volume of SMS messages to premium-rate numbers controlled by them, resulting in significant financial losses for businesses.

Without adequate controls, mitigating the risk of SMS pumping fraud is a significant business challenge. Plivo’s Fraud Shield comes built into our Verify API to stop pumping fraud in its tracks. Plivo Fraud Shield is an AI-driven model that automatically detects and blocks fraudulent messages — and it’s ready with a simple one-click setup.

2. Stop SMS phishing attacks

SMS verification, when used correctly, can be a valuable tool in preventing phishing attacks, but it's not foolproof. SMS verification adds a second layer of security beyond just a password. It requires users to have access to their registered phone number, making it more difficult for attackers to gain access to accounts.

Likewise, if an attacker attempts to log in to an account from an unrecognized device, an SMS code will be sent to the registered phone number. This can alert the user to suspicious activity and prevent unauthorized access.

3. Protect user credentials from brute force attacks 

Unsurprisingly, brute force attacks that use trial and error to deduce login information and encryption keys are highly effective in data breaches. Organizations that simply rely on usernames and passwords are still vulnerable to brute-force attacks. 

SMS verification mitigates the risk of a successful brute-force attack. The account is locked if a user enters the wrong PIN or marks passwords invalid after a certain number of unsuccessful attempts, making it harder for hackers to tweak/identify the user credentials. 

How to choose an SMS verification service

When you’re ready to implement SMS verification, there are two options: You can either build a 2FA solution in-house or integrate an SMS API provider. 

There are a few reasons why some businesses build their own OTP solution. Building an in-house system allows for tailoring authentication methods to precisely fit the company’s unique workflows and data sensitivity. In some cases, regulations might mandate a specific level of control over user data that can only be configured with an in-house solution. 

However, building a custom SMS verification solution is too technical and expensive for most businesses. Instead, a reputable communications platform as a service (CPaaS) like Plivo offers robust 2FA APIs that are secure, cloud-based, and cost-effective. These APIs are simpler and more efficient than writing code from scratch, so an SMS API provider makes setting up OTP easier.

Plivo’s Verify API is an off-the-shelf solution designed to meet regulatory compliance across the countries where your users are based. 

Plivo Verify API: effortless, robust SMS verification

Plivo’s Verify API makes it simple to start offering SMS verification. Our 2FA technology helps protect your business, build trust with customers, and protect against SMS pumping attacks. Plus, unlike with other CPaaS providers, you pay no extra fee for successful verifications with Plivo’s Verify API.

Here’s why thousands of businesses use Plivo Verify API to integrate SMS verification and deliver a better customer experience. 

Fraud Shield

Plivo’s Fraud Shield is an AI-driven model that automatically detects and blocks fraudulent messages. Set up your SMS pumping fraud protection with a simple one-click setup. Fraud Shield allows you to choose how your system responds to signs of SMS pumping fraud. Customize your settings and automate alerts to quickly take action in case of a breach. 

The geo permissions setting allows you to control the countries to which your SMS traffic is sent by creating an approved countries list. We block any messages intended for countries not on your approved destination list free of charge. 

Go live in one sprint

Use Plivo’s pre-registered sender IDs and templates to slash implementation time by 90%. You could start sending SMS verification to users in 150+ countries in under five minutes.

Reduce OTP costs

Plivo’s Verify API delivers the lowest costs per verification. You only pay to verify real users, with zero authentication fees and zero additional costs for Fraud Shield. With Plivo, you save over 91% of costs compared to other platforms for every 100,000 SMS sent. 

Maximize OTP conversion rates

Plivo’s API delivers a 95% conversion rate across multiple authentication channels. Take advantage of specialized routes from carriers that are not available with the SMS and Voice APIs. Intelligent routing identifies the best routes and number types for conversions. Plus, get automatic load balancing and traffic routing to another carrier in the event of a carrier failure.

Alternatives to SMS verification

This year, Okta announced that it would sunset its SMS and voice verification service. Instead, Okta will focus on password-less options like FastPass or FIDO2 WebAuthn — two popular alternatives to SMS verification.

While FastPass and WebAuthn undeniably offer advanced security features, we believe SMS and voice authentication methods remain relevant in enterprise environments. There are compelling reasons enterprises should continue using Plivo with Okta for SMS and voice OTP authentication. Compared to passkey options, SMS verification is: 

• Universally accessible. SMS and voice authentication methods are not limited by the type of device a user has.
• Easy to integrate. Most enterprises already support SMS and voice OTPs, making these methods easy to maintain and expand.
• Familiar and convenient. The simplicity of receiving and entering a code into a system makes SMS and voice OTPs convenient for users of all ages and technical proficiency levels. 
• Affordable and scalable. Enterprises do not need to purchase and distribute hardware tokens or ensure all users have compatible devices. 
• Compliant. SMS and voice OTPs are recognized and accepted methods for multi-factor authentication.

Ultimately, passkeys and other forms of authentication are best used as complementary or additive ways to verify a user’s identity. 

Conclusion

‍Plivo's SMS Verification API offers a robust solution for businesses looking to integrate this technology seamlessly. With Plivo, organizations can leverage a scalable, reliable, and secure platform that simplifies the process of sending OTPs to users worldwide. Plivo's SMS API is designed to ensure high deliverability rates and rapid transmission, minimizing delays and enhancing user experience.

By choosing Plivo, businesses can not only fortify their security measures but also maintain a cost-effective approach to protecting their digital assets and user data. Implementing Plivo's SMS Verification API means choosing a partner committed to your security needs and to the smooth operation of your authentication processes.

This guide explains how 10DLC helps businesses reach US audiences, improve deliverability and throughput, and ensure compliance.

Many businesses struggle to send text messages en masse while meeting compliance restrictions. Mid-level and enterprise companies that often send texts at scale can face deliverability issues and frustrating red tape that prevent them from easily communicating with their audience. 

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: 10DLC. 

A 10-digit long code, or 10DLC, is a type of phone number used in business text messaging to send large volumes of SMS/MMS messages directly to customers. 10DLC numbers meet the telecom industry’s constantly evolving demand for solutions that are efficient, compliant, and cost-effective. 

In this guide, we’ll share more about how to register for a 10DLC number, the costs associated with it, how they can benefit your business, and some key considerations for using 10DLC in your next campaign. 

What is 10DLC? 

10 DLC (10-digit long code) numbers are local long code numbers that mobile network operators specifically approve for business messaging. When sent, 10DLC SMS messages show up as standard 10-digit numbers from the sender to the recipients.

10 DLC is used for application-to-peer (A2P) messaging. Here’s how this works: 

In comparison to other types of SMS codes, 10DLC offers a relatively more convenient and inexpensive way for businesses to text consumers with stronger credibility and deliverability. 

From a customer’s point of view, they get more relevant, trustworthy messages on their devices, and from the brand’s perspective, they benefit from a higher quality messaging service with better throughput levels in 10DLC. 

Learn the cost of setting up 10DLC numbers for your business here. 

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How to register and implement A2P 10DLC?

To implement 10DLC, you must register your 10DLC number with The Campaign Registry (TCR). It’s a central hub for A2P 10DLC messaging campaigns by North America’s major mobile carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and others to help businesses communicate with their consumers more efficiently and securely. 

At Plivo, we’re focused on making it as simple as possible for businesses to complete their 10DLC registration process promptly. Our 10DLC console experience delivers more visibility into your entire brand and campaign registration process. 

If you're a reseller planning to register a messaging campaign for a third party, you need to provide information about who will receive the messages. This includes details about their company and the messaging plans they have chosen.

To help you further, we created a step-by-step 10 DLC registration with all the important things you need to complete your 10DLC registration. 

Step 1: TCR vetting process

When a brand wants to send messages through a carrier, the maximum amount of messages they can send is determined by their vetting score. 

Third-party vetting partners, such as Aegis Mobile, Campaign Verify, and WMC Global, use undisclosed algorithms to compute vetting scores that verify brands based on the type of organization account and other company details.

To vet a brand and its campaigns, TCR charges a one-time fee of $40 for the brand's license plate number. This cost is passed on to customers by Plivo. If a brand's messaging volume exceeds 6,000 per day, Plivo recommends they pay for additional vetting.

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Step 2: 10DLC Costs 

For standard brands, there is a one-time registration fee of $4. Additionally, there is an optional fee of $40 for vetting, which allows for higher throughput. You will be charged a monthly fee of $10 per campaign, with a limit of 100 campaigns and 49 long code numbers per campaign.

Depending on the brand and campaign’s score, the throughput varies up to a maximum of 4,500 TPM. 

Step 3: Messaging throughputs 

US operators have set specific tiers for messaging throughput in terms of transactions per minute (TPM) and transactions per day (TPD). Based on your vetting score assigned by TCR, your messaging rate limits and throughput are determined. 

If you want to learn more, check out our 10DLC support page. 

What are the benefits of A2P 10DLC?

10DLC is one of the best ways for businesses to communicate with their consumers. It establishes a credible, authentic, direct line of contact between a business owner (you) and a 10DLC recipient (your audience). 

Here are some of the key benefits of 10DLC: 

1. Get higher messaging deliverability and low latency 

Since 10DLC numbers are authorized and vetted by TCR, messages sent via these numbers have a higher chance to pass through carrier spam filters as compared to messages sent via traditional long code numbers. 

As a result, 10DLC campaigns tend to have higher SMS open rates, better customer engagement, and higher conversion rates. 

For example, at Fluent, whose business revolves around customer acquisition, using Plivo as one of their cloud communications platforms for 10DLC helped their business meet its messaging goals. 

Additionally, 10DLC has low latency, meaning there’s minimal delay between sending a message and its delivery to the targeted recipient. This is critical for time-sensitive communications, ensuring that messages are received almost in real-time, enhancing the effectiveness of customer interactions and services. 

2. Reduce costs and drive higher ROI

10DLC provides a more affordable entry point for businesses to engage in A2P messaging. The lower cost barrier allows small and medium-sized businesses to effectively utilize SMS marketing and business communication. 

Besides, 10DLC can be used for both A2P and P2P (Person-to-Person) messaging, so businesses can consolidate their messaging activities under one number, reducing the need for multiple numbers and the associated costs.

3. Ensure better compliance

10DLC minimizes the risk of non-compliance penalties, which can be costly. By adhering to carrier and regulatory guidelines, businesses can protect their reputation and avoid potential fines. 

Additionally, using a compliant and carrier-approved messaging channel like 10DLC enhances a business’s reputation among consumers, which in turn, impacts brand affinity and customer retention. 

4. Provide a more localized experience 

Given 10DLC numbers maintain the standard 10-digit format familiar to users, they are perceived as local or regional numbers. Since a local phone number feels more familiar, it can increase the likelihood of message engagement, as recipients may be more inclined to trust and respond to messages from numbers that appear local. 

It also presents a great opportunity for businesses to tailor their messaging campaigns to local audiences, increasing the relevance of their campaigns. 

What are the limitations of A2P 10DLC?

While 10DLC comes with plenty of benefits, it also has a few limitations that could impact your business and specific needs. 

1. Lack of support for lengthy messages

If you frequently send long SMS messages to your audience, you might find 10DLC limiting. That’s because 10DLC systems may impose restrictions on the length of messages that can be sent. 

These restrictions may be challenging for companies trying to convey complex information or multiple calls to action within a single message. 

2. Appears like a regular phone number

One of the strengths of 10DLC — its appearance as a standard, local phone number — can also be a double-edged sword. This feature may also result in a lower perceived authority or prestige compared to messaging from short codes, which are often associated with large-scale brands or nationwide campaigns. 

For businesses seeking to establish a commanding brand presence, this might be seen as a drawback.

Business messaging: who should consider using 10DLC?

10DLC is an incredible solution packed with benefits, but certain businesses may find it more useful than others. Specifically —

1. Brands that need better control and flexibility over their messaging campaigns 

10DLC lets you manage campaigns with a high degree of specificity, from targeting and personalization to timing and frequency. You can create more meaningful, relevant campaigns that speak directly to your audience and leave a stronger impact. 

2. Brands seeking improved delivery rates and higher messaging throughput

For businesses that rely on SMS for time-sensitive communications—including financial institutions, healthcare providers, and emergency services—reaching your audience promptly is a critical, non-negotiable aspect of your communication strategy. 

10DLC’s improved deliverability and throughput rates ensure that messages promptly reach their intended recipients. 

3. Brands that need to meet compliance standards

10DLC provides a compliant messaging solution that can mitigate risk for businesses. 

The registration process for 10DLC involves vetting by carriers and adherence to industry standards, offering businesses peace of mind that their messaging practices are in line with legal and regulatory requirements. 

This is particularly important for businesses in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and education, where non-compliance can result in significant financial penalties.

Ready to improve your sender reputation with 10DLC? 

10DLC checks all the right boxes when it comes to SMS messaging campaigns. It ensures fast delivery speeds, higher throughput, stronger security, and compliance — all while being a scalable solution and an affordable option for businesses. 

As consumers’ demands change and businesses compete for their attention and engagement, being able to communicate in real-time securely will become more crucial; this is where 10DLC fits in. 

You can use the Plivo console or our SDKs (now in public beta) to register your brands or campaigns. Make sure you provide accurate information, as the TCR and carriers review it during the registration process. 

Sign up for Plivo 

10DLC FAQs

1. Who needs to register for a 10DLC?

If you're a business looking to use A2P messaging services in the United States, it's important to register for a 10DLC number. It is crucial to comply with the carrier regulations to ensure that your messages get delivered to your intended audience efficiently.

2. What happens if I don’t register a 10DLC?

When you fail to properly register your 10DLC, there is a risk that messages may be blocked or flagged as spam. It can result in extra expenses and harm to your reputation as a sender. Ensure your messages are registered correctly to avoid such negative consequences.

3. How do I get a 10DLC number?

Businesses can obtain a 10DLC number through service providers like Plivo, which assist in the registration and setup process.

4. What is the difference between 10DLC and short codes?

Short codes are designed for high-volume messaging campaigns and offer faster delivery rates but come with a higher cost. 10DLC, on the other hand, provides a more affordable solution with improved deliverability and compliance. 

5. What is the difference between 10DLC and toll-free numbers?

While toll-free numbers offer high-volume, two-way SMS messaging at a relatively low cost and enhance brand perception, they may not provide the same level of deliverability and compliance with carrier network’s messaging guidelines as 10DLC numbers. The latter are optimized by carrier networks for efficient, large-scale SMS campaigns and are compliant with mobile carriers' A2P messaging regulations.

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