Major changes are happening to the landline texting industry. That’s right – we’re referring to the introduction of the 10-digit long code (10DLC). This newly integrate long-code was created specifically for application-to-person (A2P) business texting going on in the United States and Canada.
While the changes may appear minor, many of the shifts happening behind the scenes requires businesses to register with new requirements, obtaining a trust score and much more. Our team at Text My Main Number is dedicated to helping clients through this interesting transition. For businesses interested in implementing business texting to their company, keep on reading to understand the ins and outs of the 10DLC.
What is the 10DLC program?
The 10DLC allows businesses to send a large number of landline texts (or SMS messages) from a local phone number. And we all know how important it is for businesses to use landline texting. On the surface, it works the same as the traditional shortcode. Customers text a keyword to a number code, and they begin receiving business texts from your company. This is not the only way, customers can opt in, can we broaden this please?
The first version of the 10DLC launched when business texting was still a novel concept. 10DLC was solely meant for low throughput messaging and person-to-person (P2P) communication. But times have changed – now more than ever people use SMS marketing to grow their enterprise given the popularity of text messages.
Why are landline texting changes happening?
The use of shortcodes and toll-free numbers have their fair share of issues. Let’s just look at the current options (besides the 10DLC) that businesses have and delve through its features.
- Toll-free long codes:
While this option supports calls and messages, toll-free long codes lack their message volume capabilities. These codes only support 1- 2 messages per second, making its throughput extremely low. Toll free is actually a high throuput option. Please check out Aerialink and toll free. It may explain more.
- Shortcodes:
Generally, these 5-6 digit numbers allow a very high volume of messages to be sent. Large companies and even government organizations use shortcodes to send out alerts, reminders, etc. Shortcodes also support 100 messages/second.
The problem is, it’s an expensive choice to make. The price attached to using shortcodes make it less feasible for small businesses. It can cost a few thousand a months, the application process can take up to 3 months, and only support SMS texts.
The Benefits of 10DLC
From the description above, it’s evident that there was room for improvement and change. 10DLC is meant to be that solution within the world of business texting. This longer code also has the benefits of:
- Preventing spam for customers
Customers frequently receive spam from shortcodes. The reason for this is because many businesses often share the use of one shortcode. With more businesses implementing business texting to their platforms, some spammers are abusing it. Carriers have a difficult time pinpointing the person responsible for the spam.
To protect customers, each business will have a unique 10DLC. This means that if a business were to violate any guidelines, carriers could put a stop to it immediately. Customers will also see a recognized area code when you use a 10DLC. As such, customers will be more willing to open and trust the content within the messages. This could mean the public will have more trust in text message campaigns and be more willing to participate in business texting.
All major cell phone carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) offer a 10DLC messaging option, but each carrier is structuring its new registration process a little differently, if at all.
- Higher messaging volume
You won’t have to worry about limiting your throughput with 10DLC in the picture. Some speculate that 10 DLCs will allow businesses to send 5- 15 messages per second. While it’s not as high as shortcodes, it still presents a medium-high messaging volume.
- Cost-efficient
10DLCs is the cheaper option that delivers a high volume messaging and top security. For businesses, 10DLCs will only cost you a few dollars per month. With more money saved, you can delegate that money to other important business ventures.
You can upgrade your business texting with TMMN, invest it in better products and so much more. While it may be more expensive than long toll codes what are these? Toll free numbers?, it’ll be much cheaper than shortcodes.
- Phone call enabled
Besides sending and receiving text messages, businesses can use 10DLC to call as well. This allows you to create a much closer interaction and enhance the customer experience when you use 10DLC. Customers will appreciate that feature to directly reach out when they need help. They already use their phone number to call, maybe we can replace this with another benefit? Can we mention some benefits like marketing like simpletexting and other uses?
How to Switch to 10DLC
Before the 10DLC rollout for businesses, carriers must have perfected their 10DLC to ensure the product works. A few carriers have pushed back their launch date of the 10DLC due to issues associated with it. With more carriers eliminating their shared shortcodes, here are the next steps for businesses.
- Businesses need to register their texting campaign and pay additional fees to access the 10DLC program.
- They can continue using their existing phone number to send messages, but they will need to be registered to continue using the program and avoid having their messages filtered out.
- Businesses sending landline texts via shared shortcodes will need to use either 10DLC or a dedicated shortcode.
If you own a small business or you are an independent contractor, you may not need to complete the same registration process if you do not send a large number of text messages, according to Twilio. Is this true? I read this:
“However, registration will ultimately be a requirement for all customers sending messages to the United States using 10-digit long code numbers.”
Changes vary based on the carrier
Each carrier has its separate requirements. Let’s look at the top 3 carriers below to see what they’re doing with their 10 DLC rollout.
- Verizon
They previously added a per-message surcharge to outbound SMS and MMS messages but have not announced plans to adopt a brand or campaign registration process. They have been using spam and smashing filters to vet A2P 10DLC users since early 2019, according to a blog post by Open Market.
- AT&T
AT&T started a class-based structure with different surcharge amounts for each class. It expects businesses to register their campaigns by June 1, 2021, according to Twillio. Message charges will include the base message rate and the surcharge to the destination carrier, according to Bandwidth.
- T-Mobile
T-Mobile is expected to introduce a new activation or migration fee, flat-rate surcharges for each brand rather than each campaign. T-Mobile also has specifications for types of messages and has daily caps for the number of outbound messages per brand, according to a blog post by Bandwidth.
How do you register your 10DLC campaign?
Many people can register their campaign directly through The Campaign Registry (TCR), which is a third-party company contracted by carriers to handle the campaign registration and vetting process. The registration process gives carriers more information about who sends mass messages and the type of messages sent. SMS service providers can register 10DLC campaigns for the brands they work with.
Text My Main Number will help its customers register to ensure they receive the best possible rates, throughput rate, and service continuity.
If you do not register your campaign, but continue using the 10DLC program, carriers may charge higher fees or they may block your messaging traffic.
To register, you’ll have to provide some basic information about your brand and your campaign. Carriers will ask you to describe the campaign and provide a few sample messages, according to Bandwidth . It’s important to give complete and accurate information during the registration process because each brand and campaign will be assigned a Trust Score. You will receive a message throughput based on your Trust Score and what type of campaign you registered, according to Twilio.
10DLC is taking over as the new and improved solution for business texting. Cost-effective, high-volume messaging capabilities and beneficial for your business overall. Reach out to our team at TMMN and we’ll assist with your transition to 10DLC!
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