Back to Business Automation Glossary
The Definition
A2P 10DLC stands for “Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code.” It is a telecom regulation introduced by US carriers (like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) that requires all businesses to register their brand and usage details if they want to send text messages from a local phone number.
Think of it like a “Digital Driver’s License.” If you want to drive (send texts) on the carriers’ roads, you must be licensed and insured.
Why It Matters: The “Spam Filter” Problem
In the past, anyone could buy a phone number and blast out thousands of spam texts. To stop this, carriers created A2P 10DLC.
If your business is not registered:
- Carriers will block your messages aggressively.
- Your texts may show up as “Spam Likely” on your customer’s phone.
- You face potential fines for non-compliance.
If you have ever had a client say, “I never got your text,” it was likely filtered by the carrier because your number was not trusted.
How Registration Works
The process involves two steps that verify you are a legitimate business:
- Brand Registration: You submit your EIN (Tax ID) and official business address to a central registry. This proves you are a real company.
- Campaign Registration: You declare what you are texting about (e.g., “Appointment Reminders” or “Customer Service”) and provide sample messages.
Once approved, your phone number is “whitelisted,” giving you higher delivery rates and faster speeds.
The “Attuned” Approach
Most business owners give up when they see the complex paperwork required for A2P. At Attuned Automation, we handle the bureaucracy for you.
Our Compliance Service:
- We File the Paperwork: We submit your Brand and Campaign registrations directly to The Campaign Registry.
- Opt-Out Management: We ensure every text workflow includes the mandatory “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” language, which is a legal requirement.
- Deliverability Monitoring: We watch your error rates. If carriers start blocking your messages, we investigate and fix the issue immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this mandatory? Yes. If you use software (like GHL, Podium, or others) to send texts to US phone numbers, you must be registered. There are no exceptions for small businesses.
How long does approval take? It varies by carrier, but currently, it takes between 3 to 10 business days for a campaign to be fully vetted and approved.
Stop Getting Blocked by Carriers
Your customers cannot book you if they never see your message. Let us handle the registration process so you can text with confidence.