What is 10DLC?

10DLC, which stands for "10-Digit Long Code," is the officially sanctioned system for Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS messaging to the United States.

It was established by US mobile carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) to create a trusted and verified channel for businesses to send text messages.

In practice, it means businesses must register their brand and their specific messaging use cases (e.g., marketing promotions, appointment reminders, two-factor authentication) to be assigned a dedicated, compliant 10-digit phone number for sending SMS to US recipients.

 

Why is 10DLC Compliance Important?

Prior to the introduction of 10DLC, business messages sent from standard long codes were often subject to aggressive filtering by US carriers attempting to combat spam. This meant that legitimate and critical communications could be blocked without warning, leading to poor deliverability and frustrated customers.

By registering for 10DLC, you are verifying your identity and the nature of your messages with the carriers. This results in:

  • Significantly Higher Deliverability: Registered messages are recognised as legitimate traffic and are far less likely to be filtered.

  • Improved Sender Reputation: A dedicated 10DLC number protects your brand's reputation.

  • Enhanced Customer Trust: Customers receive messages from a consistent, verified number.

Failure to comply with 10DLC regulations will result in your SMS messages to the United States being blocked.

 

How Does TNZ Handle 10DLC?

At TNZ, we have streamlined the entire 10DLC process to ensure seamless compliance for our customers in New Zealand and Australia. We handle the complex registration process on your behalf and integrate your compliant 10DLC number directly into your TNZ account.

Whether you send messages via our Dashboard, REST API, or through a CRM or integration like Zapier, all US-bound SMS will be automatically sent from your dedicated, registered number.

 

What if I Don't Buy a 10DLC?

Messages destined for USA mobiles will be rejected with:
Status=Failed
Result=Rejected-Country Blocked-Account Policy

 

What Are The Next Steps

Reach out to our team and we'll guide you through the 10DLC registration process.

For a comprehensive guide on what 10DLC means for New Zealand and Australian businesses, including pricing and setup, please read our detailed blog post:

Sending SMS to the USA? What Kiwi and Aussie Businesses Need to Know About 10DLC