A2P 10DLC registration explained for business texting

If your business sends text messages to customers in the USA, you will meet the term A2P 10DLC. It sounds technical, but the idea is simple: carriers want to know who is sending business texts and why.

What the letters mean

• A2P means application-to-person, which is messaging sent by a business to people.
• 10DLC means ten-digit long code, which is a normal local phone number.
• Registration is the process of telling carriers about your business and your message use case.

Why registration matters

Carriers protect their customers from spam. Business messages sent from unregistered numbers can be filtered or blocked. Registered senders get better delivery because carriers know who they are and what they send.

What you usually need

1. Your business name and details.
2. A description of what you will send, such as appointment reminders or order updates.
3. Sample messages.
4. How people agree to receive them.

Approval can take some time, so register before you plan a campaign.

How it works at Dialsyx

SMS is available on the USA and Canada plan. After a one-time $10 registration fee, which is non-refundable, texting costs $8 per user per month once your registration is approved. Read the full SMS messaging policy and see the SMS product page.

Good texting habits

• Only text people who have agreed to hear from you.
• Say who you are in the first message.
• Always honour a request to stop.
• Keep messages relevant and not too frequent.

This guide is general information and not legal advice. Texting rules differ, so check the rules that apply to your business.

Common reasons messages get blocked

• The number was never registered for business texting.
• The message content looks like spam or uses misleading links.
• People did not agree to receive the texts.
• Too many messages are sent too quickly to new contacts.
• Messages do not say who the sender is.

Preparing a good registration

Describe your real use case clearly and honestly, such as appointment reminders or order updates. Use sample messages that match what you will actually send. Explain how a customer agrees to receive messages, for example by ticking a box on a form. Clear and accurate information usually leads to a smoother approval and better delivery later.