10DLC Made Simple: Common Questions and Must-Know Terms

As a business owner, you may be aware of and have already used short code or long code numbers for SMS marketing. However, the scenario has changed – 10DLC is the new system in the United States! It has completely transformed how businesses send SMS in the US. In short, compliance with text messaging regulations is no longer a formality for businesses, but it has become a necessity, primarily when your business relies on 10DLC messaging. Text messaging compliance can be challenging, especially regarding 10DLC registration for small businesses. In 2025, 10DLC compliance has become non-negotiable. Whether you want to send appointment reminders, promotions, or personalized updates, your business must be registered with 10DLC. It helps improve message deliverability and prevents hefty fines. Businesses have no choice as regulations become strict and spam filters get tougher. 10DLC registration for small businesses has become non-negotiable.

However, don’t worry!

In this guide, we will break down all the common questions and terms around 10DLC compliance, which will help you navigate the 10DLC registration process smoothly.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

What is 10DLC?

10DLC – 10-digit long code which is used for Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging. Picture this – you’ve a phone number that not only makes messages you send to your customers look more professional but ensures your messages are trusted and delivered without glitches. It’s the strength of 10DLC. It differs from the regular phone numbers we use to send personal text messages.

10DLC numbers are local long-code phone numbers built explicitly for business text campaigns. These numbers let businesses send bulk texting without losing their local and familiar feel of the standard 10-digit numbers and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

If businesses want to use the 10DLC system, they must register a 10DLC local number with The Campaign Registry, the central campaign database and MNO (mobile network operator) must approve their messages.

How 10DLC Differs from Short Codes and Toll-Free Numbers

Let’s understand how 10DLC differs from short codes and toll-free numbers.

Check the detailed comparison of 10DLC Vs Short Codes here.

What are the Benefits of 10DLC for Business Messaging?

Here are a few benefits of 10DLC for business messaging.

1. Improved Deliverability – Carriers usually identify 10DLC as the genuine business messaging system, so they have a higher probability of message delivery.

2. Cost-Effective – 10DLC messaging is more affordable than dedicated short codes.

3. Increased Trust – Compliance with the regulations helps build trust with your audience. Customers also trust local numbers over unknown short codes.

4. Reduces Spam Risks – Following best practices and 10DLC compliance assurance helps businesses avoid hefty fines and chances of messages being flagged as spam.

5. Scalable Messaging Campaigns – It is not like 10DLC registration is only for small businesses. It supports all business sizes and lets them scale their messaging efforts without worrying about compliance issues.

Check our guide on A2P 10DLC registration to learn more about the benefits of 10DLC.

What are the Must-Know 10DLC Terms?

Here are a few general terms that you must know about 10DLC:

1. 10DLC – It is the system that lets businesses send messages through 10-digit numbers.

2. A2P Messaging – It stands for Application-to-Person messaging. In it, businesses send messages from an application to an individual.

3. P2P Messaging – It stands for Person-to-Person messaging. The regular messaging we do with our friends, family members, and colleagues is called P2P messaging.

4. SMS – Text messages that are limited to 160 characters are known as SMS – Short Message Service

5. MMS – Text messages that support images, videos, GIFs, and longer text are known as MMS – Multimedia Messaging Service.

Read this blog if you want to learn more about SMS vs. SMS.

Let’s check out a few A2P 10DLC Registration and Compliance Related Terms.

1. EIN – It stands for Employer Identification Number. This number verifies and proves that the particular business is legitimate.

2. TCR – The full form of TCR is The Campaign Registry. It is responsible for 10DLC registrations in the US.

3. Brand Registration – This is the process that verifies the business before allowing it to send messages via 10DLC.

4. Campaign Registration – This is required to register specific use cases for messaging like customer support, marketing, notifications, etc.

5. Campaign Use Cases – This means different types of messaging are allowed through 10DLC, such as customer service, marketing, fraud alerts, etc.

6. Trust Score – It is the rating that TCR gives to a specific business. It impacts message throughput limits.
Higher Trust Score = Higher Delivery Rate.

7. Use Case – The purpose of SMS campaigns is to provide customer service, fraud alerts, promotions, etc.

8. Opt-In/ Opt-Out – Both are compliance requirements. Opt-in means users must give explicit consent to receive messages from the specific business. Opt-out means customers have the option to stop receiving from the particular business.

9. Compliance Regulations – This means businesses must follow the rules and regulations to avoid penalties and ensure proper message delivery.

Message Throughput and Filterning

1. Message Throughput – The total number of messages businesses can send per second or day according to registration and carrier rules.

2. Throughput – It is the speed at which text messages are delivered. Usually, it is determined by the business’s registration and trust score.

3. Carrier Filtering – This is the process that mobile carriers use to block unsolicited, non-compliant, or unregistered messages.

4. Carrier Surcharge – Extra fees that businesses need to pay for sending A2P messages through 10DLC. It is imposed by carriers to regulate traffic, maintain network quality, and prevent spam. These fees vary by carrier. It applies in scenarios where businesses send a high volume of marketing, transactional, or customer engagement messages by ensuring compliance with carriers.

5. T-Mobile Message Fees – Additional charges applied by T-Mobile for 10DLC messaging. They charge extra fees to regulate business messaging and prevent spam. These charges are applied when sending A2P messages for marketing, promotions, or high-volume notifications.

Fines and Penalties

1. Non-Compliance Fees – Carriers imposed penalties for sending text messages without registration or violating messaging and 10DLC guidelines. It is known as non-compliance fees.

2. SHAFT Content – Prohibited messaging content such as content related to Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco.

3. Vetting – This is the background check process in which third-party companies review a business’s details and legitimacy before allowing them to send a large volume of A2P text messages via the 10DLC system. In the US, if any business wants to send A2P messages using 10DLC, it must go through the brand registering process and submit its campaign.

Common Questions About 10DLC

1. Why do I need to register for 10DLC?
Registration is compulsory to comply with the carrier regulations and avoid filtering.

2. How long does the registration process take?
Usually, brand registration takes 1 to 3 business days, while campaign registration may take longer.

3. Do I Need to Register My Business More Than Once for 10DLC?
No, once your business is registered, you don’t need to register it again. However, make sure you register each messaging campaign separately.

4. What happens if I send messages without 10 DLC registering?
If you send messages without 10DLC registering, your messages may be flagged as spam (may be blocked), and you have to pay non-compliance fines.

5. How does 10DLC impact message deliverability?
10DLC registered number experience improved message deliverability and lower spam filtering.

6. How do I know if my organization needs to register for 10DLC?
If your business sends automated or bulk SMS messages to customers, you must register for 10DLC to comply with carrier regulations.

7. What are the costs involved in 10DLC messaging?
The cost involved in 10DLC messaging varies as per carrier and usually includes registration fees, surcharges, and message fees.

8. Can I use the same 10DLC number for multiple campaigns?
No, you cannot use the same 10DLC number for multiple campaigns. Each campaign must be registered separately with a unique phone number.

9. Do I need a separate registration for each carrier?
No, you don’t need a separate registration for each carrier. A single 10DLC registration works perfectly across all major US carriers. However, one thing to keep in mind here is that each carrier may have different compliance requirements.

10. Do I need to register for 10DLC for A2P or P2P?
10DLC registration is only mandatory for A2P messaging.

11. What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Carriers impose fines for non-compliance, and such messages may be blocked.

12. Why is an EIN required for 10DLC registration?
An EIN verifies that a specific business is legitimate and helps prevent fraud.

13. When Is Additional Vetting Needed?
If your text messaging volume is high or if your use case requires additional inspection, additional vetting may be required to determine compliance.

14. Can I register without an EIN?
No, EIN is required for brand registration.

15. How does message throughput affect my campaign performance?
Higher throughput means on-time message delivery, specifically for large-scale campaigns. In short, a higher trust score and proper registration can improve your throughput limits.

16. What is a carrier surcharge, and how does it impact messaging costs?
A carrier surcharge means additional fees that mobile carriers impose for A2P messages sent over their networks. It varies as per carrier and impacts the overall message campaign cost.

17. How do I choose the right campaign use case for my business?
You must select a use case that represents your messaging type, such as customer support, alerts, and marketing. If you classify the message use case wrong, it can result in message filtering or compliance issues.

18. Who needs to register for a 10DLC?
If your business is planning to use an A2P messaging service in the US, it is important to register for a 10DLC number. It is crucial that you comply with carrier regulations to ensure your text messages are delivered to your target audience efficiently.

How to Get Started With 10DLC?

Here is how you can start with 10DLC registration. First, you need to obtain the Employer Identification Number (EIN). After that, register your brand/business via the TCR – The Campaign Registry. Then, register your SMS campaign according to the use case, such as marketing, customer support, fraud alert, etc.

Once you complete it, select the right SMS marketing platform, like Textdrip, that supports 10DLC. Make sure you comply with opt-in/opt-out and content regulations. After that, track the campaign performance to avoid filtering and penalties.

Read our guide on how 10DLC registration works with Textdrip to learn more about how you can get started with 10DLC with Textdrip.

You must be wondering how I can choose the right text messaging provider.

Read on to get its answer.

You must look for the following qualities to select the right messaging provider.

Choose the SMS marketing platform that offers hassle-free 10DLC registration and compliance assistance. The platform you select must offer high message throughput and cost-effective pricing.

In A Nutshell

Adhering to 10DLC rules and regulations is important and non-negotiable for businesses that use SMS marketing in the US. By understanding the terms and answers to the above-discussed common questions, businesses can easily achieve 10DLC compliance. 10DLC registration for small businesses helps mitigate legal and financial risks, strengthen customer relationships, and support sustainable business growth for many years to come. If you want to simplify your 10DLC registration process, use Textdrip – a leading AI-powered SMS marketing platform. It helps to achieve hassle-free compliance and high deliverability. Take a FREE trial or book a demo to experience it.