10DLC SMS Messaging Guide

Introduction: What is 10DLC?

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is the industry-standard system for businesses to send Application-to-Person (A2P) text messages (SMS and MMS) using standard 10-digit phone numbers in the US. Major mobile carriers (like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon) now require businesses to register their 10DLC numbers and campaigns (the purpose of your messages) to reduce spam, improve message deliverability, and build trust with customers.

Why is 10DLC Registration Mandatory?

Message Delivery: Unregistered 10DLC SMS messages, sent from unregistered phone numbers will be blocked by carriers starting February 1st, 2025. Registration ensures your messages reach your intended recipients.
Avoid Fines: Non-compliance can result in substantial fines per message.
Build Trust: Registration shows customers you’re a legitimate business committed to responsible messaging.
Compliance: 10DLC registration helps you comply with regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the CTIA Messaging Principles.

Requirements for 10DLC SMS Messaging Campaign Registration

You’ll need to register both your Brand (your business) and your Campaign (your messaging purpose).

Brand Registration Requirements:

Legal Company Name: Use the exact name as registered with the IRS (or equivalent).
“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name: If different from your legal name.
Tax ID:
- US: EIN (Employer Identification Number) – a 9-digit number.
- Canada: Business Number (BN) or Canadian Corporation Number.
- Europe/Other: VAT ID (numeric portion only).
Company Type: Select one:
- Private Profit
- Public Profit
- Non-Profit (Must be officially designated)
- Government
- Sole Proprietor (Use only if you do not have an EIN; heavily scrutinized)
Industry: Choose the category that best describes your business.
Website URL: Your company’s primary website (e.g., https://www.example.com).
Contact Information: Name, email, and phone number of the person responsible.
Physical Address: Your business’s registered address.

Campaign Registration Requirements

Campaign Description: A detailed explanation of how and why you’ll be using text messages. Be specific! (See below for examples).
Use Case: Select from Ultatel’s predefined list (e.g., Customer Care, Marketing, 2FA). Ultatel: Provide your specific list here.
Message Flow: Describe exactly how users opt-in. (See examples).
Sample Messages: Provide at least two real-world examples. Include:
- Your business name.
- Clear opt-out instructions (e.g., “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”).
- If using links, include a sample (using your actual domain).
Opt-In Keywords: Words users can text to opt-in (e.g., START, JOIN).
Opt-Out Keywords: Words users can text to opt-out (STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE)
Help Keywords: Words users can text to get help (e.g., HELP).
Opt-In Message Example: The message users receive after opting in.
Opt-Out Message Example: The message users receive after opting out.
Help Message Example: The message users receive after texting HELP.
Number Pooling: Select “Yes” if you will need more than 49 phone numbers.
Embedded Link: Select “Yes” if your messages will include links.
Embedded Phone Number: Select “Yes” if your messages will include phone numbers.
Direct Lending: Select “Yes” if involved in lending.
Age-Gated Content: Select “Yes” for age-restricted content.

Step-by-Step 10DLC SMS Messaging Campaign Registration

Before You Begin

Gather: Legal Company Name, DBA Name, Tax ID, Company Type, Industry, Website URL, Contact Info, Address, Privacy Policy URL.

Prepare: Campaign Description, Sample Messages, Opt-In Method Description.

Steps

Log in to your Ultatel account.
Navigate to: SMS Registration > Brands & Campaigns
Brand Registration: click “Add Brand” then Enter all required information.
Wait for Brand to get verified (it takes from 10 minutes to 1 hour), then start registering your campaign
Campaign Registration: from the brand page, click add campaign, then enter all required information, including:

- Detailed Campaign Description.
- Use Case(s).
- Message Flow (how users opt-in). Include:
  - Website Opt-In: Direct link to the form (e.g., https://www.example.com/contact).
  - Keyword Opt-In: Explain how users learn about the keyword (e.g., “Text START to…”).
  - POS/Verbal Opt-In: Provide the exact script.
- Sample Messages (at least two, with brand and opt-out). Example: “Acme Corp: Your appointment is on [Date]. Reply YES to confirm, STOP to unsubscribe.”
- Opt-In Keyword(s): START
- Opt-Out Keyword(s): STOP UNSUBSCRIBE CANCEL
- Help Keyword(s): HELP
- Example Opt-In Message, Opt-Out Message, Help Message.
- Number Pooling: (Yes/No)
- Direct Lending: (Yes/No)
- Embedded Link: (Yes/No)
- Embedded Phone Number: (Yes/No)
- Age-Gated Content: (Yes/No)

Review and Submit: Double-check all information.
Await Approval: The process can take 3-4 weeks.
Once your campaign is approved, please add your phone numbers to your campaign.

Examples and Templates

Sample Campaign Descriptions

Good Example (Appointment Reminders): “This campaign is used to send appointment reminders to our customers. Messages include the date, time, and location of the appointment and allow customers to confirm or reschedule. Recipients have opted in by providing their phone number during the appointment booking process on our website or over the phone.”
Good Example (Customer Support): “This campaign is used for two-way communication with our customers regarding their inquiries, orders, and support requests. Messages are sent directly between our support agents and customers who have initiated contact with us.”
Good Example (Two-Factor Authentication): “This campaign sends one-time passcodes (OTPs) to users for account login and password reset verification. Users provide their phone number during account creation or when requesting a password reset.”
Good Example (Marketing): “This campaign is used to send promotional messages, special offers, and updates about new products/services to customers who have explicitly opted in to receive marketing communications. Messages include a clear call to action and an option to unsubscribe.”
Bad Example (Too Vague): “We send text messages to our customers.”
Bad Example (Mismatched Use Case): “This is a customer support campaign.” (But the sample messages are all marketing promotions).

Sample Messages

Welcome/Opt-in Confirmation: “Welcome to Acme Corp! You’re now subscribed to receive text alerts. Msg frequency varies. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel.”
Appointment Reminder: “Acme Dentistry: Your appointment is on Tuesday, Oct 29 at 2:00 PM. Reply YES to confirm, NO to reschedule, STOP to unsubscribe.”
Order Confirmation: “Acme Store: Your order #12345 has been confirmed and will ship soon. Track: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt-out.”
Customer Service: “Acme Support: Hi [Customer Name], this is [Agent Name]. Following up on your inquiry. How can I help? Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Marketing Promotion: “Acme Fashion: Flash Sale! Get 50% off all dresses today only! Shop: [Link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Two-Factor Authentication: “Acme Login: Your verification code is 123456. This code expires in 5 minutes. Reply STOP to opt-out.”
Account Alert: “Acme Bank: Your balance is below $100. Log in: [Link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Conversational messages: “Hi [customer name] this is [agent name] with Dr. Doctor’s office. We received your lab work and you can see the results by logging into your patient portal www.[yourPracticeWebsite].com/patient_portal_login Reply STOP to opt-out of future messaging.”

Opt-In Script Templates

Website Opt-In Form:
- A form on your website that clearly inform your customer how will you use the collected information.
Verbal Opt-In (Phone Call):

“Hello [Customer Name], would you like to receive text updates from [Your Company Name] regarding [Purpose]? You can opt-out anytime by replying STOP. Msg frequency varies, and msg&data rates may apply. We won’t share your info. Privacy policy: [Link]. Agree?”

POS System Opt-In:

“[Your Company Name]: Receive [Purpose, e.g., order updates] via SMS?
[ ] Yes, I agree.
Msg frequency varies. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe, HELP for help. [Link to Privacy Policy]”

Privacy Policy Snippets

“SMS Messaging: If you opt-in to receive texts from [Your Company Name], we may send messages regarding [Purpose]. Msg frequency varies. Msg&data rates may apply. Opt-out anytime by replying STOP. We will not share your mobile number or SMS opt-in data with third parties for marketing without consent.”

Registration Fees for 10DLC

Brand Registration Fees (One-Time)

Fee Type

Amount

Required For

Charged By

Notes

Brand Application & Vetting

$19

All businesses registering a brand.

TCR

Charged for every brand application, regardless of approval status.

Optional Third-Party Vetting

$40

Campaign registration fees include a one-time vetting fee plus a recurring monthly fee based on your messaging volume and use case. A minimum of three-month commitment is required for all campaigns.

TCR-partnered vetting service

Contact Ultatel support to request this. Recommended for high-volume senders.

Campaign Registration Fees

Fee Type

Amount

Required For

Charged By

Notes

One-Time: Campaign Vetting

$15

All registered campaigns.

Third Party

Charged for every brand submission and resubmission (including rejected campaigns).

Recurring (Monthly): Low Volume Campaign

$1.50 (minimum 3-month commitment)

Businesses sending < 6,000 messages/month. AT&T throughput restricted to 75 MPM across all numbers in the campaign.

TCR

Suitable for low-volume, conversational messaging.

Recurring (Monthly): Standard Campaign

$10.00 (minimum 3-month commitment)

Businesses sending >6,000 messages/month or requiring higher throughput than the Low Volume campaign allows.

TCR

Suitable for low-volume, conversational messaging.

Recurring (Monthly): Number Polling

$100 (one-time)

Businesses sending that need more than 49 numbers per campaign.

TCR

Contact Ultatel support if you need an exception for one use case exceeding 49 numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

General 10DLC Questions

What is 10DLC?

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is a system that allows businesses to send text messages (SMS and MMS) to customers in the US using standard 10-digit phone numbers.

Why is 10DLC registration required?

Registration is required to ensure message deliverability, avoid fines, build trust, and comply with industry regulations.

Who needs to register?

All businesses sending A2P SMS/MMS messages to US phone numbers must register their 10DLC numbers and campaigns.

What happens if I don't register?

Unregistered 10DLC messages will be blocked by carriers, and you may face significant fines per message.

Is 10DLC registration required for Canadian companies?

Yes, if they are sending text messages to US phone numbers.

What is The Campaign Registry (TCR)?

The Campaign Registry (TCR) is the central authority managing 10DLC registration, working with mobile carriers.

Can I opt out of 10DLC registration?

No, 10DLC registration is mandatory for A2P messaging in the US.

Brand Registration

What information do I need for brand registration?

Legal Company Name (exactly as registered and as it appears on your Tax ID document)
“Doing Business As” (DBA) name (if different)
Tax ID (EIN for US, Business Number for Canada, VAT ID for Europe, etc.)
Company Type (Private Profit, Public Profit, Non-Profit, Government, Sole Proprietor)
Industry
Website URL
Contact Information (name, email, phone)
Physical Address

What if my legal company name has special characters?

If your legal name includes characters other than letters, numbers, hyphens, and ampersands, adjust as follows:

For symbols, spell them out (e.g., “+” becomes “plus”).
For “.com”, use “Dot Com” (e.g., “Jones.com” becomes “Jones Dot Com”).
For slashes, use a hyphen (-).
For apostrophes, remove them without leaving a space.

What is a "Doing Business As" (DBA) name?

A DBA name is used if your company operates under a name different from its legal registered name.

What if I don't have a company / EIN?

You can register as a Sole Proprietor, but this option is heavily scrutinized and limited. It is strongly recommended to obtain an EIN from the IRS.

I got an error saying my tax ID doesn't match my business name. What do I do?

Double-check for typos. Ensure you’re using the correct Tax ID and legal company name. Contact the IRS helpline (+1 (800) 829-4933 in the US) to verify your official business name.

Can I register multiple brands?

Yes, in some cases. Please contact Ultatel support if you need to register multiple brands.

Campaign Registration

What is a "campaign"?

A campaign defines the specific purpose or use case for your text messages (e.g., appointment reminders, marketing).

What information do I need for campaign registration?

Campaign Description (detailed)
Use Case (select from Ultatel’s predefined list)
Message Flow (how users opt-in)
Sample Messages (at least two, including opt-out language)
Opt-In Keywords (e.g., START)
Opt-Out Keywords (e.g., STOP)
Help Keywords (e.g., HELP)
Opt-In Message Example
Opt-Out Message Example
Help Message Example
Number Pooling (Yes/No)
Embedded Link (Yes/No)
Embedded Phone Number (Yes/No)
Direct Lending (Yes/No)
Age-Gated Content (Yes/No)

How detailed should my campaign description be?

Very detailed. Explain exactly how and why you’re using text messages, who you’re messaging, and the type of content you’ll be sending.

What are some examples of campaign use cases?

Example 1: Customer Care/Support:

Description: Two-way conversations initiated by either the business or the customer to address inquiries, resolve issues, provide support, or manage accounts.
Examples:
- “Hi [Customer Name], this is [Agent Name] from [Company]. Following up on your support ticket. How can I help?”
- “Thanks for contacting [Company]! An agent will be with you shortly. Reply STOP to opt-out.”
- “Your account balance is overdue. Please call us at [Phone Number] to make a payment. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Key Point: This is not for marketing or unsolicited outreach. It’s for genuine customer service interactions.

Example 2: Account Notifications:

Description: Sending non-marketing alerts related to a customer’s account, such as low balance warnings, payment confirmations, or security alerts.
Examples:
- “[Company Name]: Your payment has been processed. Thank you! Reply STOP to opt-out.”
- “Alert: Suspicious activity detected on your [Company] account. Log in to review: [Link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Key Point: Must be related to the customer’s existing account, not general promotions.

What is "message flow"?

Message flow describes the steps a user takes to opt-in to receiving your messages.

How do I describe how users opt-in?

Provide specific examples for each opt-in method you use:

Website: Include a direct link to the form.
Keyword: Explain where the keyword is advertised.
POS/Verbal: Provide the script used.

What should my sample messages include?

Your business name, the purpose of the message, a clear call to action (if applicable), and opt-out instructions (e.g., “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”).

What are opt-in/opt-out/help keywords?

These are words users can text to interact with your campaign:

Opt-in: START, JOIN, YES
Opt-out: STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL
Help: HELP, INFO

Can I customize my opt-in/opt-out/help messages?

Yes.

What is "number pooling"?

Number pooling allows you to use multiple phone numbers within a single campaign, typically for high-volume messaging.

What if I am doing direct lending?

Select ‘yes’ if your organization is doing any kind of lending.

What if I have Age-Gated content?

Select ‘yes’ if the content includes any materials that are age-restricted.

Opt-In and Opt-Out

What is "opt-in"?

Opt-in is the process of getting explicit consent from a recipient before sending them text messages.

How do I get consent from recipients?

Common methods include website forms, keyword opt-in, verbal consent (with a script), and point-of-sale systems.

What is "opt-out"?

Opt-out is the process of allowing recipients to easily unsubscribe from your messages.

How do recipients opt-out of my messages?

They can reply STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, or CANCEL to any of your messages.

What happens when someone replies STOP?

Ultatel automatically blocks further messages to that recipient from your campaign.

Can someone opt back in after replying STOP?

Yes, they can typically reply UNSTOP to re-subscribe.

What should my privacy policy say about SMS messaging?

Your privacy policy should clearly state how you collect and use phone numbers, how recipients can opt-out, and that you will not share their information with third parties for marketing purposes without consent. (See Section 4.4 for example language).

Prohibited Content

What content is prohibited in 10DLC messages?

SHAFT content (Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco) is strictly prohibited. Other generally prohibited content includes payday loans, “get rich quick” schemes, debt forgiveness, gambling, and cannabis, unless you are directly and legitimately offering these services and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Are there any exceptions to the prohibited content rules?

There may be exceptions for legitimate businesses directly offering certain services (e.g., licensed financial institutions offering loans). However, these are heavily scrutinized and require careful compliance.

What are the consequences of sending prohibited content?

Message blocking, fines (up to $2,000 per message), and potential account suspension.

The Registration Process

How do I register my brand and campaign with Ultatel?

Log in to your Ultatel account, navigate to the SMS Registration section, and follow the step-by-step instructions provided on this page.

How long does the approval process take?

The approval process typically takes 3-4 weeks, but it can sometimes take longer.

Can I expedite my registration?

No, the review process is handled by a third party, and expedited processing is not available.

How will I know if my registration is approved?

Ultatel will notify you via email of the status of your registration.

What if my registration is rejected?

Review the feedback provided by Ultatel, correct any errors or omissions, and resubmit your registration.

Can I edit or delete my registration?

To edit or delete your registration, please contact Ultatel support.

Costs & Fees

Are there any fees for 10DLC registration?

Yes, there is a one-time brand application and vetting fee, and a separate, one-time campaign vetting fee plus a recurring monthly fee based on messaging volume and use case.

How are messaging fees calculated?

Messaging fees are based on your plan, please review the plans and pricing page.

Are there different rates for registered and unregistered users?

Unregistered message will encounter a $0.02 extra fee per message but currently it’s not supported on our platform, outbound messages without registration will be blocked.

Troubleshooting

What if a message is undelivered?

Check the recipient hasn’t replied “STOP”.
Verify that the number is valid.
Check the Ultatel Help Center.
If the issue persist, contact support.

Contact & Support

Who do I contact for help related to 10DLC compliance and regulations?

For questions specifically about 10DLC regulations and best practices, it may be helpful to consult one the resources listed below:

The Campaign Registry: https://www.campaignregistry.com/
CTIA Messaging Principles: https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/industry-commitments/messaging-interoperability-sms-mms
TCPA Regulations: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf
Mobile carrier code of conduct: https://www.10dlc.org/en/verizon-tmobile-att-sprint-carrier-code-of-conduct

Who do I contact for help with 10DLC registration?

Contact Ultatel’s support team at support@ultatel.com or call our support number at 800-930-9912.

What to Look in an Enterprise Phone System When Choosing One For Your Business

10DLC SMS Messaging Guide

Introduction: What is 10DLC?

Why is 10DLC Registration Mandatory?

Requirements for 10DLC SMS Messaging Campaign Registration

Brand Registration Requirements:

Campaign Registration Requirements

Step-by-Step 10DLC SMS Messaging Campaign Registration

Before You Begin

Steps

Examples and Templates

Sample Campaign Descriptions

Sample Messages

Opt-In Script Templates

Privacy Policy Snippets

Registration Fees for 10DLC

Brand Registration Fees (One-Time)

Fee Type

Amount

Required For

Charged By

Notes

Campaign Registration Fees

Fee Type

Amount

Required For

Charged By

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

General 10DLC Questions

Brand Registration

Campaign Registration

Opt-In and Opt-Out

Prohibited Content

The Registration Process

Costs & Fees

Troubleshooting

Contact & Support

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