10DLC Compliance

10DLC Compliance

Tags
ComplianceSMSOnboarding

Takeaways

  • 10DLC Compliance is necessary for US organizations using A2P texting. This means texting from a 10 digit local US number from an Application to a Peer (person).
  • There are 4 key requirements for 10DLC Compliance.
  • The 10DLC Compliance cost is a one-time $20 registration fee and a $2 or $10 monthly compliance fee, based on your Alive5 plan. These fees are included in your plan's price.
  • After meeting all 4 key requirements and submitting your application, the 10DLC registry will approve or reject your campaign within days or weeks. If approved, you can start texting.

February 1st, 2025 changes (important!)

  • The anticipated December 1st, 2024 shutdown has been postponed, with carriers extending the deadline to February 1st, 2025. While previous deadlines have been extended before, and the December date was originally communicated as the "final shutdown," this extension provides additional time for outbound messaging operations. Organizations should use this extended window to complete any necessary transitions or compliance measures.
  • On February 1st, 2025 and onwards only fully approved 10DLC campaigns will be able to text.
  • If you are currently texting under Provisional Compliance, you will no longer be able to text on February 1st, 2025 and onwards until you achieve Full 10DLC Compliance.
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Let Alive5 fast-track your 10DLC compliance. Our managed service guides you through every step, helping you avoid common pitfalls that cause delays and campaign rejections. We'll handle the entire process to get your SMS campaigns approved and running quickly.

What is 10DLC?

10DLC is a channel for B2C messaging over local landline numbers, developed due to the rising popularity of texting and increasing fraud. U.S. carriers aim to ensure it remains trustworthy and spam-free. They've adopted standards and registration processes for 10DLC numbers to track the usage and content across the network.

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4 Key Requirements

  1. Matching EIN and Legal Business Name
  2. Valid Web/Online Presence
  3. Opt-In Compliance
  4. Privacy Policy Compliance

1. Matching EIN and Legal Business Name

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), used to identify a business, must match the Brand's Legal Business Name for correct verification. Refer to IRS forms (W-2, SS-4) for the right EIN and Business Name. This is required for any business type who needs business SMS.

2. Valid Web/Online Presence

To use A2P SMS services, your organization needs a web presence, either a business website OR an active social media profile (Facebook Page or LinkedIn). If you have a website, you CANNOT use your Facebook Page as your web presence (website will take precedence when it comes to the review process).

  • Website: must be https:// secured (http:// only website not allowed), and you (or someone within your organization) should have ability to make changes to it (see sections 3 and 4 below).
  • Facebook Page: Must be an active social media profile with followers and activity (cannot be a newly created Facebook Page). Under the “About” section, there’s a “Privacy and legal info” section where you can add an “Impressum”. Add this content: OPT IN CONSENT: By submitting your phone number to us, you are authorizing {your Business Name (DBA) here} to send you text messages and notifications. Message/data rates apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe to a message sent from us. OUR PRIVACY POLICY: No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. Be sure to replace{your Business Name (DBA) here} with your actual business name! Live example: https://www.facebook.com/wearealive5/about_privacy_and_legal_info
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3. Opt-In Language

The addition of opt-in language is required for any organization whose website captures phone numbers from website visitors.

Watch our video explainer:

  • Opt-in language IS required on “Contact Us”, “Registration”, or “Get a Quote” type of pages if you are asking for the website visitors’ phone numbers.
  • If you ARE NOT capturing any phone numbers anywhere on your website (or you do not have a website), opt-in language is NOT required and you can skip this requirement.

Opt-In Language Example

By providing a telephone number and submitting the form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message from {your Business Name (DBA) here}. Message frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging. Reply HELP for more information. See our Privacy Policy {your Privacy Policy URL here} Be sure to to replace “{your Business Name (DBA) here}" and “{your Privacy Policy URL here}" with your business details! Live example: https://www.alive5.com/contact-us

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A common question we get: Why do I have to do this? You may wonder why website changes are necessary if you're not texting people who submit their information. The reason is that Direct Connect Aggregators (DCAs), who determine 10DLC approval, will manually review your website or social media for compliant language. These requirements are industry-wide standards for 10DLC use, not specific to Alive5. We're simply adhering to regulations beyond our control.

4. Privacy Policy Compliance

A compliant Privacy Policy which includes the “Privacy Policy Language” (provided below) is required for 10DLC texting.

Watch our video explainer:

  • Sole Proprietors: This not required - you can skip this requirement.
  • Private, Public, and Non-Profits: (Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs, nonprofits): If your web presence is your Facebook Page, see section 2 above.
    • If you DO HAVE an EXISTING Privacy Policy on your website:
      • Must be linked from your home page at the footer of the web site. Example: https://www.alive5.com (see bottom footer link ‘Privacy Policy’) links to https://www.alive5.com/privacy-policy.
      • Incorporate the “Privacy Policy Language” below. This means to add the example paragraph(s) below into your existing Privacy Policy. Be sure to make sure none of your existing terms and policies conflict with the new language.
    • If you DO NOT have an existing Privacy Policy: Add the “Privacy Policy Language Example” as a paragraph at the bottom/footer of your website, visible from the home page.

      • Privacy Policy Language Example

      updated 10/17/2024

      We will not share your opt-in to an SMS campaign with any third party for purposes unrelated to providing you with the services of that campaign. We may share your Personal Data, including your SMS opt-in or consent status, with third parties that help us provide our messaging services, including but not limited to platform providers, phone companies, and any other vendors who assist us in the delivery of text messages. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

10DLC Registration Timeline

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This 5 step process illustrates from beginning to end of the 10DLC process.

  1. Complete Form (10 minutes) The 10DLC registration form is accessible once you subscribe and pay for an Alive5 plan. Information such as your business EIN, address, website is submitted, along with verifying your phone numbers through and automated call back. Changes to your web site contact page and privacy policy may be needed (see above requirements).
  2. Alive5 Team Review (4-72 hours) After you make the necessary web site changes and submit the registration details, the Alive5 team will do an initial review and let you know via email if there are additional changes to be made. If everything is clear, your phone number will start the SMS porting process and once the phone line is live, you will receive an email. Most phone numbers go live with SMS within a few minutes, some may take a few days, depending on the carrier.
  3. Provisional Compliance This was offered before December 1st, 2024 - the ability to text before your 10DLC campaign was approved. This is no longer allowed by the mobile networks and not available anymore for any SMS provider in the US.
  4. DCA Review (3+ days) Once you’re in Provisional Compliance, it should take another 3 days or more for the DCA to review your campaign. In most instances, your campaign will be approved since you’ve been guided by Alive5 with the best practices, but if there is a decline, Alive5 will notify you to make necessary changes. After your changes are made, another DCA Review will be necessary which will take another round of 3 or more days.
  5. Full 10DLC Compliance (3+ days) At this point, the DCA has approved your campaign and you should have no problems sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages. Rarely a campaign may need to be re-submitted if you require more throughput or have over 50 phone numbers, so it’s important to let the Alive5 team know ahead of time if you do expect substantial increased usage like these over time. 3+ days means once you submit your registration and the DCA reviews it 3 days later and approves it with no rejections, you will be able to text at that time.