What is A2P 10DLC?
What is A2P 10DLC?
Section titled “What is A2P 10DLC?”A2P 10DLC refers to the system for sending Application-to-Person (A2P) messages via standard 10-digit long code (10DLC) phone numbers. A2P describes messages sent from a software application or automated system to an individual, such as account notifications, authentication codes, or marketing messages.
A2P 10DLC registration is a carrier-mandated standard in the United States, administered through The Campaign Registry (TCR). It is not a new or upcoming requirement — registration has been required for US business SMS since 2021.
Does This Affect Me?
Section titled “Does This Affect Me?”If your business does not send text messages to recipients in the United States, A2P 10DLC does not apply. No action is required.
If your business sends any commercial or application-generated SMS to US phone numbers using 10-digit long codes, registration is required.
What Does Registration Involve?
Section titled “What Does Registration Involve?”Businesses must register two things with TCR:
- Brand Registration — Identifies your business to the carrier networks (name, address, EIN, industry).
- Campaign Registration — Describes the type of messages you will send (e.g., two-factor authentication codes, delivery notifications, marketing).
What is a Trust Score?
Section titled “What is a Trust Score?”After completing brand registration, TCR assigns your brand a Trust Score of Low, Medium, or High using a reputation algorithm. Your Trust Score combined with your Campaign Type determines your message throughput (how many messages per second you can send).
What is a Campaign?
Section titled “What is a Campaign?”A Campaign is a registered use case — a description of the specific type of messages your business sends. If your business sends multiple types of messages (for example, authentication codes and promotional offers), you must register a separate Campaign for each use case.
Do I Need New Phone Numbers?
Section titled “Do I Need New Phone Numbers?”No. Existing 10-digit long code numbers can be enrolled in your registered Campaign. You do not need to purchase new numbers.
How Do I Associate Numbers with a Campaign?
Section titled “How Do I Associate Numbers with a Campaign?”After your Brand and Campaign are approved, add your phone numbers to a Messaging Service in your account. The Messaging Service links the numbers to the Campaign registration.
Does This Affect MMS Messaging?
Section titled “Does This Affect MMS Messaging?”A2P 10DLC registration governs long code SMS. Long code MMS is subject to throughput limits under the same system, but short codes remain the better option for high-volume MMS campaigns in the US.
Does This Affect Toll-Free Numbers?
Section titled “Does This Affect Toll-Free Numbers?”No. US Toll-Free numbers are not subject to A2P 10DLC registration. Toll-Free SMS is an alternative for businesses that do not want to register 10DLC campaigns.
Does This Affect Canada?
Section titled “Does This Affect Canada?”No. A2P 10DLC is a US carrier requirement. Canadian mobile carriers have not implemented an equivalent mandatory registration system.
Does This Affect WhatsApp Messaging?
Section titled “Does This Affect WhatsApp Messaging?”No. WhatsApp messages travel over the internet rather than carrier networks and are not subject to A2P 10DLC rules.