Title: A2P 10DLC guide: 2026 US compliance and regulations

URL: https://www.infobip.com/blog/what-is-a2p-10dlc

A2P 10DLC is the US framework for sending application-to-person messages from a 10-digit long code. For platforms that help businesses message customers in the US, the process means supporting them as they register 10DLC numbers and get campaigns approved. This guide explains what A2P 10DLC is, what compliance requires, and how platforms can help customers launch campaigns without unnecessary delays.

## What is A2P 10DLC? 

A2P 10DLC means using a 10-digit long code for business messaging in the United States. It gives you a local-looking number for SMS and MMS, and in some cases voice. It requires brand and 10DLC campaign registration before you can send messages. That registration matters because US carriers review traffic more closely than they used to. Without it, messages will be blocked, delayed, or sent at lower throughput. 

## Benefits of 10DLC  

10DLC gives businesses a practical way to send application-to-person messages from a local US number. It's easier to set up than a short code, supports two-way messaging and voice, and is ideal for high-volume customer communication. 

1. Flexible use cases: 10DLC supports marketing, notifications, support, authentication, and more

1. Lower setup cost: It is typically more affordable than short codes

1. Local presence: A local area code can make messages feel more familiar and trustworthy

1. Carrier approval: Registered traffic is easier for carriers to trust and route

10DLC has a range of benefits, but the capabilities of the communication partner providing you with the service matters just as much. With Infobip’s Tier 1 direct connections to US carriers, you can reduce reliance on upstream providers, keep fewer network hops in the path, and get campaigns live faster with stronger deliverability.  

## Use Cases for A2P 10DLC

10DLC gives platforms a compliant way to support a wide range of use cases that brands rely on to connect with their customers from a local US number. With speeds up to 75 messages per second, equaling over a million messages daily, 10DLCs support most use cases, including: 

1. **Marketing campaigns**: Promoting new products, announcing sales, and sending targeted offers

1. **Appointment reminders**: Sending automated reminders for appointments, bookings, and reservations

1. **Review invites and feedback reminders**: Asking satisfied customers to leave feedback and encourage positive reviews

1. **Order updates and shipping notifications**: Keeping customers informed about their orders and delivery statuses

1. **Travel notifications**: Keep customers updated on changes on their travel itinerary (ie. For airlines or ride sharing)

1. **Customer support and FAQs**: Providing help and answering common questions through text chat

1. **Events, promotions, and sales**: Engaging attendees, promoting upcoming events, and driving sales through targeted messages

1. **Two-factor authentication**: Authenticating account registration and logins by sending SMS messages with OTP codes

1. **Voting and polls**: Government and political organizations can encourage voter turnout

1. **Donations & volunteering**: Non-profit organizations can send out messages inviting donors to contribute or volunteers to sign-up for events

Not every use case fits neatly into a standard category. Platforms serving brands in highly regulated industries need a way to secure approval for critical messaging, even when the content or context requires extra review. 

Infobip helps make that possible. Our team works to ensure legitimate regulated use cases are reviewed correctly and not misclassified as spam or placed in a forbidden category. 

For example, Dialog Health, a healthcare messaging platform in the US, needed to support messaging about alcohol and drug usage before a procedure. In regulated messaging, even a single word like “marijuana” can trigger restrictions. Infobip helps platforms navigate these requirements so healthcare providers can keep communicating with patients and deliver the service their customers need.

[ Read Dialog Health's full story ](https://www.infobip.com/customer/dialog-health)

## What is A2P 10DLC compliance? 

A2P 10DLC compliance refers to the rules you must adhere to for obtaining and using a 10DLC number to message customers. If you don’t, mobile carriers might block your SMS messages, charge higher fees, or even suspend your service.

1. Register brand and campaign details accurately. Use the correct company information, tax ID, and business address.

1. Define the campaign purpose clearly. Carriers need to understand what type of traffic will be sent.

1. Use message content that matches the approved use case. Keep the messaging aligned with the registered campaign.

1. Include opt-out and help language. Messages should support STOP and HELP handling.

1. Avoid public URL shorteners. Carriers often block shortened links because they are associated with spam or fraud.

1. Control traffic volume. Send at the approved throughput and avoid patterns that trigger carrier filters.

1. Keep messaging two-way. Customers need a way to reply, get help, and opt out.

## Why is brand registration important for 10DLC compliance? 

In the US, brands need to be registered before they can send A2P traffic. This tells carriers who is sending the messages, what the traffic is for, and why it should be trusted. 

A typical registration flow looks like this: 

1. Buy or assign a dedicated 10DLC number.

1. Register the brand with accurate legal company information.

1. A vetting agency will then determine the validity of the brand.

1. Register the campaign tied to that number, including use case, message examples, and supporting details.

1. Review and approval. Carriers or their partners check the submission before traffic goes live.

1. Go live and monitor performance.

## How can Infobip help with 10DLC registration? 

Infobip makes 10DLC registration easier in three major ways:  

1. **Direct connections to US carriers**: Launch campaigns in hours with direct Tier-1 connections to reduce network hops and dependency on upstream providers

1. **Boost approval rates**: Reduce failed submissions with expert support and AI pre-checks. Infobip’s team catches issues early and understands key reasons for rejection to help you avoid repeated submissions that waste time and money.

1. **Easy registration**: Teams can manage 10DLC campaigns through a guided portal or automate the workflow through API, depending on how they prefer to operate.

## Important US A2P regulations to know  

A2P messaging in the US is governed by both law and carrier rules. If you run a B2B platform, you need to understand both. 

### Legal requirements: TCPA 

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) sets the legal framework for SMS messaging in the US. In practice, this means: 

1. You must have consent before sending marketing texts.

1. You cannot send unsolicited messages to consumers.

1. Non-compliance can lead to fines and class-action risk.

### Carrier guidelines: CTIAand network policies 

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) publishes messaging guidelines that carriers use to help enforce acceptable traffic. Individual carriers may also have their own rules. These guidelines affect: 

1. the type of content you can send

1. how opt-out and help instructions must appear

1. whether your traffic is approved, delayed, or blocked

### Common compliance rules

For most 10DLC programs, the main rules are: 

1. Register before sending; unregistered traffic is not allowed.

1. Secure an opt-in for both marketing and transactional messages with the right consent model.

1. Use approved content. Some categories, including gambling, drugs, alcohol, firearms, and adult content, are restricted or prohibited.

1. Support two-way messaging so recipients can reply with HELP or STOP.

1. Follow carrier-specific requirements. Carriers can review, reject, or disable traffic on their network.

## Launch and manage 10DLC with Infobip

If you need to register brands, launch campaigns, and keep 10DLC traffic compliant, Infobip gives you the infrastructure and support to do it without unnecessary friction. 

With Tier 1 direct connections, AI-powered pre-checks, expert guidance, and flexible portal or API workflows, you can move from registration to live traffic faster and with fewer surprises. 

###  Need help with 10DLC compliance?

 We're here to help. Contact an expert to get started.

 [ Talk to an expert ](/contact)

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