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.
Unlike traditional short codes or toll-free numbers, A2P 10DLC uses regular phone numbers that look familiar to consumers while maintaining the delivery reliability and compliance standards businesses need. This messaging standard was developed by mobile carriers to combat spam and ensure legitimate businesses can reach their customers effectively.
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.
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. By 2025, carriers will 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 is specifically a U.S. messaging standard implemented by major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) to regulate business messaging. Other countries have different regulations, but the U.S. A2P 10DLC framework is one of the most comprehensive globally.
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. TSG Global provides comprehensive MMS solutions with full A2P 10DLC compliance.
Message limits depend on your Trust Score and campaign type. High-trust brands can send 200,000+ messages daily, while lower scores have reduced limits. Limits reset daily and can be increased through trust score optimization and secondary vetting processes.
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. TSG Global handles the entire migration process seamlessly.
A2P 10DLC registrations don’t expire, but campaigns should be updated when business information changes or new use cases are added. Regular monitoring ensures continued compliance and optimal performance. TSG Global provides ongoing campaign management and optimization services.
10DLC: Uses local area codes, moderate throughput, affordable pricing, requires brand validation and campaign vetting. Higher throughput available with enhanced brand verification. Offers mixed-use case flexibility with turn-up time of 2-10 days.
Toll-Free SMS: Single national number with high consumer trust, medium throughput, requires less registration. Currently no registration fees. Limited to single use case with turn-up time of 7-14 days.
Short Codes: Highest throughput ideal for very large campaigns, but comes with high code leasing fees and per-carrier registration costs. Less personal connection with customers. Limited to single declared use case with turn-up time of 8-12+ weeks.
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.
The registration process, while detailed, is essential for long-term messaging success. Trust scores and compliance requirements ensure that legitimate businesses can reach their customers while protecting consumers from spam and unwanted messages.
To get started, work with a reputable messaging provider who can guide you through the brand registration and campaign approval process. Don’t wait until your current messaging suffers from deliverability issues—proactive compliance ensures your business communications remain effective and trustworthy.
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
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The Campaign Registry (TCR)
Official registration platform for A2P 10DLC brands and campaigns -
TSG Global A2P 10DLC Services
Complete compliance consulting and SMS API with built-in 10DLC registration -
TSG Global MMS Solutions
10DLC-compliant MMS messaging for enhanced customer engagement
Expert Guides & Resources
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10DLC Campaign Registry & TCR Registration
Comprehensive guide to brand registration and trust score optimization -
A2P Messaging Compliance Examples
Real-world compliance scenarios and best practices for secure messaging -
Trust Scores & Message Throughput
Technical details on trust scoring system and throughput optimization