What is 10DLC?
If you plan to use Dripcel for sending transactional and/or promotional messages to recipients in the United States or its territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa), you can utilize 10DLC phone numbers. "10DLC" stands for "10-digit long code," and each 10DLC number is registered for a single sender and a specific use case, managed by The Campaign Registry (TCR). TCR maintains an industry-wide database of authorized companies and use cases for sending messages to US-registered handsets using 10DLC numbers.
This registration process provides mobile carriers with insight into the approved use cases for each phone number, ensuring high throughput and deliverability rates. Messages sent from a 10DLC phone number appear on recipients' devices as a 10-digit phone number.
To set up 10DLC, start by registering your company or brand. Then, create a 10DLC campaign, which outlines your use case. This information is shared with The Campaign Registry, an organization that collects 10DLC registration details.
Once your company and 10DLC campaign are approved, you can purchase a phone number and link it to your 10DLC campaign. This process typically takes around 14 days. You can associate multiple phone numbers with a single campaign, but each number cannot be used across multiple campaigns. Every 10DLC campaign requires at least one unique phone number. The throughput for 10DLC numbers is determined by the company and campaign registration details. Associating multiple numbers with a single campaign does not increase throughput.
How long does it take to launch a 10DLC campaign in the US?
The following table has the expected times for each 10DLC registration step based on if your business is located in the United States or internationally.
| 10DLC registration step | US based companies | International based companies |
|---|---|---|
| Register your brand/company | 1-4 hrs | Up to 24 hrs |
| Apply for vetting | 1-4 hrs | Up to 24 hrs |
| Register your campaign | Up to 24 hrs | Up to 72 hrs |
| Request your 10DLC number | Up to 24 hrs | Up to 72 hrs |
10DLC capabilities
The capabilities of 10DLC phone numbers depend on the mobile carriers used by your recipients. AT&T imposes a limit on the number of message parts that can be sent per minute for each campaign. T-Mobile sets a daily message limit for each company, without restricting the number of message parts sent per minute. Verizon, while not publishing specific throughput limits, uses a filtering system to remove spam, unsolicited messages, and abusive content, focusing less on actual message throughput.
New 10DLC campaigns associated with unvetted companies can send 75 message parts per minute to AT&T recipients and 2,000 messages per day to T-Mobile recipients. The daily limit is shared across all 10DLC campaigns within the same company. For instance, if you have one company with two campaigns, the 2,000 daily messages to T-Mobile customers are shared between those campaigns.
If your throughput requirements exceed these limits, you can request your company registration to be vetted. This involves a third-party verification provider analyzing your company details and assigning a vetting score, which determines your 10DLC campaign capabilities. There is a one-time charge for the vetting service. For more information, see 10DLC brand vetting.
Your actual throughput rate will vary based on factors such as whether your company has been vetted, the types of your campaigns, and your vetting score. The following flowchart illustrates the throughput rates for various scenarios.
10DLC registration process
Register your brand/company
The first step in setting up 10DLC is to register your company or brand. For details on company registration, refer to the 10DLC brand registration form. There is a one-time registration fee, which is listed on the registration page.
(Optional, but recommended) Apply for vetting
If your company registration is successful, you can start creating low-volume and/or mixed-use 10DLC campaigns. These campaigns can send 75 messages per minute to AT&T recipients, and your registered company can send 2,000 messages per day to T-Mobile recipients. If your use case requires higher throughput rates, you can apply for vetting of your company registration. While vetting can potentially increase the throughput rates for your companies and campaigns, it is not guaranteed. For more information about vetting, see 10DLC brand vetting.
Register your campaign
If the Campaign Registry verifies the company information you provided, you can create a 10DLC campaign, which includes details about your use case. Each 10DLC campaign is linked to one company. Dripcel sends this campaign information to the Campaign Registry for approval. Usually, 10DLC campaign approval is instantaneous, but in some cases, the Campaign Registry may request additional information. It can take up to 4 weeks to receive a response on whether your 10DLC campaign was approved or needs revision. You will be charged a recurring monthly fee for each 10DLC campaign you register. The monthly fee varies based on your use case and is displayed on the registration page.