10DLC: The Ultimate Guide for What it is and How to Register

10DLC refers to a 10-digit long code or a phone number with ten digits — for example, 515-555-6789. In North America, businesses use these numbers to send text messages to customers along with toll free and short code numbers.

The world of text message marketing is changing, especially when it comes to 10DLCs. So let’s learn more about what’s changing, the use cases, regulations, and benefits.

What is A2P 10DLC?

A2P 10DLC refers to application-to-person business messaging where a person receives messages from an application rather than another person. Some examples of A2P messaging include texting chatbots, text notifications, appointment reminders, and, of course, text message marketing materials.

Does everyone need to register for 10DLC?

You’re only required to complete the registration process for a 10-digit long code if you send over 3,000 SMS messages per day or use more than five long code numbers for messaging in the United States.

Why do communication services providers (CSPs) need to register?

After being fully vetted, communication services providers must register for a 10-digit long code with the Campaign Registry who provides a “Trust Score.” This Trust Score ranges from 0 to 100 and impacts the number of messages you can send with your 10-digit phone number.

If your Trust Score is between 75 to 100, you can utilize up to 75 message segments per second (MPS) on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. If your Trust Score is between 50 and 74, you can utilize up to 40 MPS on AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

Finally, if your Trust Score is between 1 to 49, you can utilize up to 4 MPS on AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

How do short codes and toll-free numbers differ from 10DLC?

Whereas a long code contains ten digits, a short code contains four to six digits. These codes are used in A2P messaging along with toll-free and long code phone numbers. Toll-free numbers start with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888.

These different numbers come with various uses. For example, short codes are ideal for large-scale campaigns. They support huge text marketing traffic – messaging hundreds of thousands of customers at once.

10DLCs are suitable for localized text marketing campaigns since they come with a local area code. Toll-free numbers aren’t under the same restrictions as 10DLC, since they are national numbers and have a higher text message send rate.

There are also differences in cost and approval time.

Short code cost and approval time

A short code costs between $500 to $1,000 a month, depending on whether it’s a randomly generated code or a pre-selected vanity code. This amount is paid to The National Short Code Registry.

You’ll also incur a cost submitting applications to the various carriers to run your short code on their networks. This vetting process by the carriers can take 2 months or longer depending on the type of information each carrier requests.

The good news is that once you’re approved, you’re good to go without fear of throttling or filtering. Two common spam measures employed by the major US carriers.

And finally, you’ll need a text message CRM, such as TextSanity, so you can manage incoming and outgoing text messages. Cost for this depends on the CRM you choose.

(If you’re looking to get a short code, TextSanity helps you through this process for a one-time fee of $1200. Interested? Text SHORT CODE to 50505.)

10DLC and toll-free cost approval time

10DLC cost varies with the text marketing provider you choose. For example, 10DLC with TextSanity costs nothing. It simply comes as part of your TextSanity subscription.

Toll-free numbers also vary with your choice in text marketing provider. With TextSanity, a toll-free number is a $5 upgrade fee with your existing subscription.

Neither of these options have a waiting period for approval. Choose the number and start texting right away.

How do I know if I should use a short code, 10DLC, or toll-free number?

You’ll use a short code for text marketing campaigns that send to hundreds of thousands of customers at one time multiple times a day.

You’ll use a 10DLC for most small business text marketing since it is a local area code phone number and it’s message send rate can reach hundreds of thousands of customers a month.

You’ll use a toll-free number if you’d like a higher message send rate than 10DLC, but don’t want to incur the cost of a short code and need the flexibility of a nationally recognized number.

What are some advantages of using 10DLC?

You should consider these advantages when using a 10DLC.

Cost effective

10DLC is a cost-effective solution for text message marketing. Most companies, like TextSanity, don’t charge for them, or charge a minimal cost for usage. So, if you’re a small or local business wanting to use text message marketing services, a 10DLC makes sense.

Local area code

Customers are more likely to engage 10DLCs since they come with a local area code. This is especially good for hyper-local marketing campaigns.

What are some limitations of using 10DLC?

While using a 10DLC is useful, it comes with limitations.

Limited Volume

Using a 10DLC for A2P messaging is a limited send rate compared to toll-free and short code messaging. However, it’s still an effective way to start your text message marketing.

Limited Customization

You can’t customize 10DLCs. However, you can choose a number, if available, that coincides with something about your business. For example, if you are a pet grooming company, you could choose 702-787-5683 which stands for 702-PUP-LOVE.

What you need to do if you already have a TextSanity account to be compliant

All you need to do if you have an existing TextSanity account is complete the blue message that appears at the top of your screen when you log in to your account. If you don’t yet have an account, the information needed to be compliant is a part of the set up process for your account. Nothing else is needed.

Conclusion

The right approach to 10DLC A2P messaging helps you achieve text marketing success! TextSanity makes it easy to register and use 10DLCs to reach customers. Get a demo of TextSanity by texting DEMO to 50505.