How it works
A 10DLC number looks like any local US phone number, such as (555) 201-4433. What makes it “10DLC” is how it is used: to send business texts from software, which US carriers classify as A2P messaging.
To send A2P texts on 10DLC numbers, US carriers require registration, usually handled through your texting provider:
- Brand registration: your business identity, such as legal name, EIN or tax ID and address.
- Campaign registration: what you’ll send and why, such as customer care, appointment reminders or marketing, with sample messages and a description of how people opt in.
- Number assignment: your numbers are linked to the registered campaign.
Registration data is processed through an industry registry (The Campaign Registry) and reviewed. Carriers can filter, throttle or block unregistered or non-compliant traffic, and may charge registration and per-message fees. Requirements, fees and review times change, so confirm current details with your provider.
Example
A pest-control company with eight technicians wants to text appointment reminders and answer customer questions from its main local number. Through its texting provider it registers its brand, then a campaign describing customer care and appointment reminders, including how customers agree to receive texts when booking. Once approved, the company’s number is attached to that campaign and messages go out as registered traffic.
If the company later wants to send seasonal promotions, that is a different use case. It should check whether its campaign covers marketing or whether a new campaign is needed.
10DLC vs. A2P
- A2P is the type of traffic: messages sent from a business application to people.
- 10DLC is one kind of number that A2P traffic can be sent from in the US, along with its registration system.
Toll-free numbers and short codes are other options for A2P texting, each with their own verification or approval processes.
Why it matters for messaging teams
If your team texts customers from software, registration isn’t optional busywork. Unregistered traffic risks delivery problems, and your campaign description sets expectations for what you send.
Common mistakes
- Starting to text from a new number before registration is complete.
- Registering one use case and sending another.
- Vague sample messages or missing opt-in details, which can lead to rejection.
- Treating registration as consent. It isn’t; you still need opt-in from each person.
This is general information, not legal advice. SMS (US business texting on 10DLC) in inChat is in development as a launch channel.