Businesses that have used traditional long code numbers to send large volumes of text messages in the U.S. must comply with a new SMS messaging standard: 10-Digit Long Code (10DLC). The good news? 10DLC provides higher-quality support for mass text messaging with lower overhead costs. The better news? Compliance and adoption can be easy with the right messaging provider. 

Read this article to find out what exactly 10DLC is, why it’s important, and how your business can step up to this new generation of application-to-person (A2P) communications. 

What is 10DLC and When Do Businesses Need to Use It?

All major wireless carriers in the U.S. have adopted the new 10DLC numbers standard for A2P long code messaging. As the sanctioned solution for A2P messaging, the 10DLC standard is designed to deliver a better customer experience along with business benefits such as brand accountability and more reliable deliverability. 

With the commercial debut of 10DLC, U.S. carriers are enforcing new guidelines and requirements. Notably, messaging programs on U.S. long and short codes can no longer be shared across more than one brand. Businesses that had been sharing codes will need to choose a new number option to power their messaging programs. 

Also, businesses that send traffic from a +1 Country Code 10DLC into U.S. networks will need to register their brands and campaigns in order to get approval for sending messages. In most cases, resellers of SMS services will need to register their customers' brands and campaigns for them.  

If your business sends customers concise but vital messages such as appointment reminders, service updates, or alerts, 10DLC is a good method for delivery. 10DLC is also effective for engaging consumers with local marketing. 

3 Reasons to Step Up to 10DLC Now

1. Higher SMS message volumes. 10DLC numbers are capable of supporting higher SMS volumes, whereas standard long virtual numbers are meant for person-to-person messaging and are subject to volume restrictions, which means they can potentially be blocked in A2P use cases. 

2. Lower costs. 10DLC numbers are more cost-effective than short codes. So, businesses that can’t afford a short code number or don’t send enough messages to justify paying for a short code will have a cost-efficient alternative.

Additionally, businesses will be able to convert their existing landlines to 10DLC numbers. This means businesses can send more messages from their existing phone numbers, and won’t have to pay for an additional number to get 10DLC capabilities.

3. Better deliverability. Because 10DLC numbers are sanctioned by the carriers, messages sent on these numbers are more likely going to reach the recipient than with regular local long codes.

Read the full list of 10DLC benefits to see even more reasons to adopt it.