Why Register a Phone Number for A2P 10DLC Messaging?

Have you ever received a text message from a company, like a reminder about an appointment or a special offer from your favorite store? These messages are called A2P (Application-to-Person) messages, meaning they are sent from a business to a customer.  

If a company wants to send messages like these in the United States, they must register their phone number for something called 10DLC (10-digit long code) messaging. But why? Let’s break it down in a simple way.  

 

Why Do Businesses Need to Register Their Numbers?  

Imagine a world where anyone could send messages pretending to be your bank, your doctor, or your favorite pizza place. Scammers could trick people into giving away personal information or clicking on dangerous links.  

To stop this, the mobile carriers (like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) created rules to verify who is sending messages. By registering their number, businesses show they are real and trustworthy. This also helps:  

1. Reduce spam – Nobody likes getting random messages from unknown senders.  
2. Protect customers – People can trust that messages come from real businesses.  
3. Improve delivery rates – Messages from registered numbers are more likely to be received.  
4. Follow the rules – The U.S. has strict texting laws, and registration helps businesses stay compliant.  

Which Countries Require This?  

Right now, A2P 10DLC messaging only applies in the United States. Other countries have their own rules for business messaging, but if a company wants to send texts to U.S. phone numbers, they must register their number.  

How Does a Business Register?  

Luckily, registration is not too hard! Here’s what a business needs to do:  

1. Provide Business Information – They fill out a form with details like their company name, website, and industry.  
2. Register a Campaign – They explain what types of messages they will send (for example, appointment reminders for delivery updates).  
3. Get Approved – Mobile carriers review the application to make sure everything looks good.  
4. Start Messaging! – Once approved, the business can send messages to customers using their registered number.  

The whole process can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly everything is reviewed.  

What Happens If a Business Doesn’t Register?  

If a company tries to send A2P messages without registering, they may face:  

• Higher fees** – Mobile carriers may charge extra for unregistered messages.  
• Blocked messages – Their texts might not get delivered at all.  
• Fines or penalties – If they break messaging laws, they could get in legal trouble.  

In short, registering is the best way to make sure messages reach customers safely and legally.  

Final Thoughts  

If a business wants to send text messages to customers in the **United States**, registering their number for A2P 10DLC messaging is a must. It keeps texting safe, reduces spam, and helps messages get delivered without issues.  

For businesses, it’s just a small step that makes a big difference!