10DLC Registration and TCR

10DLC Registration and TCR

What is 10DLC?

10DLC (10-digit long code) is a messaging solution that allows businesses to send A2P (application-to-person) SMS and MMS messages using standard 10-digit phone numbers. It is specifically designed for business texting while complying with carrier regulations to reduce spam and fraud. Unlike traditional long codes, which were originally designed for person-to-person messaging, 10DLC is specifically built for business use, ensuring compliance with carrier regulations. Registering your business’s messaging campaign is now a requirement, as carriers filter or block unregistered messages to reduce spam and fraud. By using 10DLC, your messages are more likely to be delivered reliably, improving customer engagement and trust. It also provides a higher messaging speed than traditional long codes and is a more cost-effective option compared to short codes. Additionally, registering your 10DLC campaign helps your business avoid carrier fines and ensures uninterrupted messaging.

Who is involved with 10DLC registration?

Brands, Mobile Network Operations (MNOs), The Campaign Registry (TCR) and Third-Party Vetting Partners

What is The Campaign Registry?

The Campaign Registry (TCR) is the central hub for registering 10DLC messaging campaigns in the U.S. It was established to help carriers verify business messaging traffic, ensuring compliance with industry regulations while reducing spam and fraud.

TCR serves as the trusted intermediary between businesses, messaging providers, and mobile carriers. When a business wants to send SMS or MMS using 10DLC, it must register its Brand (business entity) and Campaign (use case for messaging) with TCR. This registration process helps carriers determine whether a business's messages should be allowed, filtered, or blocked. Registered campaigns benefit from higher message deliverability, improved throughput, and reduced risk of carrier penalties.

What are MNOs?

MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) are cellular carriers that provide wireless communication services to mobile numbers. Some common names you may have heard are: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. They are responsible for message delivery and enforcing compliance with messaging regulations.

In the 10DLC ecosystem, MNOs play a crucial role in regulating and filtering business text messaging. Since 10DLC is designed for Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging, MNOs require businesses to register their Brands and Campaigns through The Campaign Registry (TCR) before sending messages. This registration allows MNOs to verify message sources, reduce spam, and ensure customers receive legitimate, trusted messages.

Once a campaign is registered with TCR, the MNOs approve and assign throughput levels (message sending speeds) based on the business's trust score and Campaign type. Businesses that fail to register may face message filtering, blocking, or additional carrier surcharges.

Ultimately, MNOs serve as the gatekeepers of SMS and MMS traffic, ensuring that only compliant, registered messages reach their subscribers while protecting consumers from unwanted spam and fraud.

How do I know if I need to complete 10DLC registration?

Any SMS/MMS sent from an application to a person (A2P) is considered A2P traffic and requires 10DLC registration. If your business is using 10-digit long codes (standard local phone numbers) for sending marketing, customer service, notifications, or any other types of text messages to customers or employees, you must register your messaging campaigns with The Campaign Registry (TCR).

What happens if I don’t register?

If you fail to register your 10DLC traffic, your messages may be blocked or filtered by mobile carriers. Starting February 1, 2025, all unregistered SMS and MMS traffic will be subject to mandatory blocking by major mobile carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. This means that any unregistered business messages sent via 10DLC will not be delivered to your customers, potentially causing disruptions to your communication and customer service efforts.

What happens when I submit my Brand and Campaign to Wiretap?

Wiretap Telecom is a CSP (Campaign Service Provider) with The Campaign Registry and as such, our role is to help you navigate the 10DLC registration process. When you submit your Brand and Campaign forms, Wiretap will then submit this information to The Campaign Registry for approval.  Once submitted, your Brand and Campaign will either be approved or rejected. If your Brand or Campaign is rejected, we will provide detailed reasons and offer guidance to help you address the issues.