A2P 10DLC Messaging - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some common questions and answers regarding messaging for A2P 10DLC.

1. What is A2P 10DLC?

10DLC is a carrier movement to register business messaging programs on ten-digit long code numbers. While some carriers have addressed 10DLC with the addition of surcharges, others have implemented systems to vet brands and their associated campaigns for approved levels of monitoring and appropriate throughput allocations on their networks.

2. What is a "brand"?

In the context of 10DLC,  the “brand” is the company or entity the end customer believes to be sending the message (i.e. the “content provider”).

For example, the end customer receives a promotion for “ABC Resorts,” so the brand is “ABC Resorts”. Brand registration is a pre-requisite to registering a messaging campaign. SMS Resellers will register multiple brands, typically one Brand registration for each of their downstream customers.

3. What is a "campaign"?

A 10DLC “campaign” is an implementation of a specific use case within a brand’s traffic. Campaign details include a description of the brand’s use of the messaging, the opt-in and opt-out process, available end-user support, sample messages and the codes associated with sending that specific use case. Note that all use case implementations must be registered as “campaigns” regardless of whether they are marketing-oriented. Brands can and should have separate campaigns for each messaging use case.

For example, a university may send tuition payment reminders from one long code, promote sporting events on another, while yet another supports professor-to-student chats.

4. Is 10DLC registration mandatory?

Yes. If a business or organization has a tax ID and wishes to send traffic on a ten-digit standard number, their traffic requires registration. This includes non-profits and governments including 501(c)(3) organizations, 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), 501(c)(6) organizations, other 501(c) non-profit designations and 527 organizations.

Traffic should be fully registered no later than March 1st, 2022. Additional fees apply to unregistered traffic effective March 1st, 2022. As of December 1, 2024 the 10DLC delivery hub has closed the non-sanctioned route. Blocked messages will be subject to messaging fees. Customers using 10-digit long codes for delivery in the U.S. must be 10DLC-registered on the sanctioned route to continue sending messages.

5. Is 10DLC registration required for traffic running over toll-free (8XX) numbers?

No. Toll-free numbers require a different type of registration called “Verified Sender.” This verification process also has a per-brand submission requirement. There are currently no associated registration fees for toll-free Verified Sender submissions.

6. Why is registration required for every brand and campaign?

Carriers want transparency and accountability for “who” is sending and “what” they are sending. Unregistered (e.g. unsanctioned) traffic is considered non-compliant.

7. Do I have to contract with the Campaign Registry to register traffic?

No. Convey customers can use products such as the Aerialink 10DLC Registration Portal which is integrated with the Campaign Registry. However, SMS providers do have the option of direct contracting with TCR for the purpose of handling the first step in registering traffic. If your business contracts directly TCR, then prior to sharing campaigns with Convey products, be sure to send your CSP-ID to support@goconvey.com so we can automatically accept them.

8. What are the costs for 10DLC registration?

You can find the relevant fees here.

9. Can one number be used for multiple 10DLC campaigns?

No, a number can only belong to a single 10DLC campaign at a time. Numbers submitted with a given campaign are checked for association with any other campaigns - numbers found with multiple campaign associations return an error for the number’s status. However, a number can be removed from one campaign and reassigned to another.

10. Can I use multiple numbers for a single 10DLC campaign?

Yes, provided there is a legitimate need for multiple numbers. Note that “snowshoeing“ (the use of multiple numbers to distribute traffic load) is an invalid reason to add multiple numbers to a campaign. If you wish to increase throughput for your campaigns, we suggest applying for third-party vetting on your brand, or considering the use of a sender type with a higher throughput overall such as toll-free or a short code.

A few things to keep in mind:

• permitted throughput is measured at the campaign level and shared across all numbers in the campaign
• “Mixed” use cases can justify different use cases for different numbers, but will likely have lower throughput than if those same use cases were registered as individual, declared campaigns. 

11. How long does 10DLC brand registration take?

It takes up to fifteen (15) minutes to receive a Brand Identity status.

12. How long does 10DLC campaign registration take?

The initial review takes approximately five-to-ten business days. Campaigns which are declined and require additional remediation steps can expect an additional three to five days.

13. How long will it take to receive results from external Brand vetting?

External vetting can take from one hour to seven days depending on various factors, including the information provided and the Brand’s tax ID country of origin. Brands which cannot be vetted are called “Unscored” and may take up to two days to determine vetting capability.

14. How long does it take to publish a long code for 10DLC?

Publishing long codes through products such as the Aerialink 10DLC Registration Portal will complete within an hour of the associated campaign’s carrier status being ranked as “Approved.” A status of “Success” for both T-Mobile and AT&T confirms publishing is complete. Numbers published via support ticket are typically completed within twenty-four hours, but timeframes may vary.

15. Do I need to buy new numbers for 10DLC?

No, you can use your existing long codes for 10DLC registration.

16. What is my throughput on 10DLC numbers?

Your allotted throughput depends upon your message class or tier as assigned by AT&T and T-Mobile. More information is available here.

17. Is 10DLC applicable to Canada-bound long code traffic?

No, Canadian carriers have not adopted 10DLC service at this time. Note that this ultimately means that Canadian carriers may block any business traffic on long code as spam, regardless of whether it is sanctioned in the U.S.

18. How do I get started with 10DLC?

Talking to your Convey Account Director is a great place to start. We also recommend checking out our 10DLC registration articles.