Logo
Request trial

What is A2P 10DLC? Complete Guide to Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code Messaging

Everything you need to know about A2P 10DLC messaging standards, registration process, compliance requirements, and benefits for business communications.

TSG Global Communications Team
(Updated: Feb 23, 2026)
12 min read
A2P 10DLC messaging diagram showing the flow from applications to person devices through 10-digit long code numbers
A2P 10DLC enables businesses to send compliant SMS messages using 10-digit phone numbers
About this guide:
  • Intended Audience: Written for compliance officers, marketing directors, and communications IT administrators.
  • Temporal Validity: Regulations and throughput metrics are valid as of Q1 2026.
  • Derivation & Accuracy: Based on official guidelines from The Campaign Registry (TCR) and major U.S. carrier requirements.
  • Entity Disambiguation: A2P 10DLC refers to Application-to-Person messaging over local 10-digit phone numbers, and does not apply to consumer P2P (Person-to-Person) texting.

TL;DR

A2P 10DLC is the mandatory U.S. carrier standard that allows businesses to send commercial SMS and MMS messages over standard 10-digit local phone numbers. Businesses must register their brand and campaigns with The Campaign Registry (TCR) to receive a Trust Score, which dictates their daily message throughput and delivery priority.

Understanding A2P 10DLC

A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code) represents a significant evolution in business messaging, providing companies with a compliant, reliable way to send SMS and MMS messages to customers using standard 10-digit phone numbers.

A2P 10DLC Message Delivery Architecture A flow diagram showing a Business Application sending a message through a Carrier Network via 10DLC, ending at the Consumer’s Mobile Device. Business Application (CRM, Marketing) Carrier Network (10DLC Route) Consumer
A2P 10DLC Architecture: Direct, verified routing to consumer devices.

Because major mobile carriers need to combat spam and protect consumers, they implemented strict regulatory frameworks. Therefore, unlike traditional short codes or toll-free numbers, A2P 10DLC uses regular phone numbers that look familiar to consumers while maintaining the strict delivery reliability and compliance standards businesses need. If a business sends commercial texts without registering, then their messages will likely be heavily throttled or completely blocked.

Key Insight

A2P 10DLC bridges the gap between consumer-friendly phone numbers and enterprise-grade messaging capabilities, making it the ideal solution for businesses of all sizes.

A2P 10DLC Registration Process

The registration process for A2P 10DLC involves several critical steps that ensure compliance and optimal message delivery. Understanding this process is essential for successful implementation.

TCR Approval Workflow A four-step linear process showing Brand Registration, TCR Validation, Campaign Creation, and Carrier Approval. Step 1 Brand Registration Step 2 TCR Trust Validation Step 3 Campaign Creation Step 4 Carrier Approval
The 4-step registration process via The Campaign Registry (TCR).

Step-by-Step Registration Guide

1Brand Registration

Register your business entity with The Campaign Registry (TCR), providing comprehensive business information including EIN, business address, and website verification.

2Campaign Creation

Create specific campaigns for different use cases (marketing, customer service, alerts) with detailed descriptions and sample messages.

3Trust Score Assessment

Receive a Trust Score (0-100) based on your business reputation, which determines message throughput rates and delivery priority.

4Number Assignment

Assign 10-digit phone numbers to approved campaigns and begin sending compliant messages with improved deliverability.

Important Timeline

The registration process typically takes 1-3 weeks, depending on the complexity of your business and campaign requirements. Plan accordingly to avoid disruptions to your messaging campaigns.

Trust Scores & Message Throughput

Trust Scores are a cornerstone of the A2P 10DLC system, determining how many messages your business can send per day and how quickly they’re delivered. Understanding this scoring system is crucial for optimizing your messaging strategy.

Trust Score Categories

Score Range Category Daily Message Limit Delivery Speed
75-100 High Trust 200,000+ Immediate
50-74 Medium Trust 40,000-75,000 Fast
25-49 Low Trust 2,000-6,000 Standard
0-24 Very Low Trust 40-200 Throttled
Optimization Tips
  • Maintain business registration currency
  • Ensure website verification
  • Follow content guidelines strictly
  • Monitor complaint rates

Benefits of Using A2P 10DLC

Enhanced Deliverability

Registered A2P 10DLC campaigns experience significantly higher delivery rates compared to unregistered messaging, ensuring your important communications reach customers reliably.

Cost Efficiency

10DLC numbers are more affordable than short codes while providing similar functionality, making enterprise-grade messaging accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Consumer Trust

Messages from familiar-looking 10-digit numbers build consumer confidence and reduce the likelihood of messages being marked as spam.

Scalable Volume

High trust scores enable sending hundreds of thousands of messages daily, supporting large-scale marketing campaigns and customer communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unregistered business messaging faces severe limitations including message blocking, reduced delivery rates, and potential service suspension. Carriers actively block most unregistered business messages, making A2P 10DLC registration essential for reliable customer communications.

The approval process typically takes 1-3 weeks from initial registration. Brand registration usually completes within 1-5 business days, while campaign approval can take 1-2 weeks depending on complexity. TSG Global expedites this process with expert guidance and pre-validation.

Yes, A2P 10DLC numbers support both SMS and MMS messaging. However, MMS throughput may be limited compared to SMS, and additional content compliance requirements apply to multimedia messages.

10DLC: Uses local area codes with moderate throughput, affordable pricing, and requires brand validation. Turn-up time is 2-10 days.

Toll-Free SMS: Single national number with medium throughput and 7-14 days turn-up.

Short Codes: Provide the highest throughput for large campaigns but have high leasing fees and 8-12+ weeks turn-up time.

The next question people usually ask is…

Yes, existing 10-digit numbers can be registered for A2P 10DLC use. The process involves brand and campaign registration, after which the number can be assigned to approved campaigns.

Conclusion

A2P 10DLC represents the future of business messaging, providing a compliant, reliable, and cost-effective solution for companies of all sizes. With proper registration and optimization, businesses can achieve high delivery rates, build customer trust, and scale their messaging operations effectively.

Ready to Get Started?

TSG Global offers complete A2P 10DLC compliance solutions with expert guidance through the entire registration process.

Contact TSG Global: sales@tsgglobal.com | 617-592-2064

Recommended Resources & Tools

Essential Platforms
TSG

TSG Global Communications Team

TSG Global specializes in SMS and MMS messaging solutions, providing comprehensive A2P 10DLC compliance consulting and API services. Based in Holbrook, Massachusetts, we help businesses navigate complex messaging regulations while maintaining optimal delivery rates.

Talk To the Team

Our experts can help you find the right solution.

Fill out the form below.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Privacy Policy: We hate spam and promise to keep your email address safe