Keeping up to date with 10DLC changes

Please keep an eye on this article, where we will communicate on major changes to our product. The updates will also include informations around the dates at which the different phases of 10DLC regulation will be implemented by the carriers and different actors of the market:

10DLC - Key dates

Question

What is 10 DLC and how does it impact users with US shared Short Codes?

Applies To

• 10 Digit Long Code (10 DLC)
• Shared Short Codes
• US SMS A2P

Answer

What is 10 DLC?

10 DLC stands for 10 Digit Long Code. It is the new standard for A2P messaging in the US, which applies to all messaging over 10 digit geographic phone numbers.

What Are The New SMS A2P Messaging Changes?

Major US implemented requirements for SMS A2P (application-to-person) messaging using 10 digit geographic numbers, also known as 10 DLC. This standard provides many benefits to users, including supporting higher messaging speeds and better deliverability.

Timeline

Each US carrier is implementing 10 DLC over different time periods, and Vonage is working with each carrier to make sure our users meet all requirements and timelines.

• Verizon launched 10 DLC in early 2020 and pass-through fees can be viewed here.
• AT&T soft-launched 10 DLC, and pass-through fees began 1 March 2021.
• T-Mobile and Sprint extended the grace period to launch 10 DLC programs beyond the original 1 March 2020 date to 1 October 2021.
• The latest information on each US Carrier’s 10 DLC launch status can be found here.

Requirements

• Users of the Vonage SMS API sending traffic from a +1 Country Code 10-Digit Long Code into US networks need to register a brand and campaign to get approval for sending messages.
  • This guide will help you classify your use case campaigns and ensure they are approved for 10 DLC ahead of your transition.
  • Users can only send messages with the same use case that have been registered with their campaign.
• Resellers of Vonage SMS services will, in most cases, need to register their customers' brands and campaigns for them.
• US numbers can no longer be shared across brands, which includes both geographic numbers and US Shared Short Codes.

Pricing

Please check this article for more information on all the fees related to 10DLC:

10 DLC Pricing and Fees

Important Notice to Vonage Customers Using US Shared Short Codes

T-Mobile and AT&T’s new Code of Conduct prohibits the use of shared originators, therefore, Shared Short codes are not an acceptable format for A2P messaging.

Vonage customers using a Shared Short Code, must migrate SMS traffic to either a 10DLC, Toll Free SMS Number, or Dedicated Short Code before March 1, 2022.

Vonage customers using our Shared Short Code API must migrate to either our SMS API or Verify API.

Customers using Dedicated Short Codes are not affected by these changes within the scope of 10DLC.

Migration Options

Migrating to Dedicated Short Codes

If you are sending SMS traffic that requires higher than 50 messages per second in throughput, or are sending high message volumes of more than 500,000 messages per month, it is recommended that you migrate to a Dedicated Short Code.

Using a Dedicated Short Code comes at a higher cost than 10 DLC, but it is the most reliable option for high volumes of SMS traffic and delivering at high throughput speeds.

Migrating to Toll Free Numbers

If you are sending SMS traffic that requires a throughput of up to 30 messages per second, or are sending medium to high volumes of up to 500,000 messages per month, you may utilize a toll-free number for your A2P traffic.

If your campaign involves marketing or promotional content, using a toll-free number is not recommended since the traffic will likely be blocked by spam filters. Toll-free numbers should only be used for non-marketing, customer service, and alert notifications use cases.

As a best practice, all marketing or promotional campaigns should be sent over a dedicated short code or via a 10 DLC once available, and opt-in/opt-out protocols must be met. More info on best practices can be found here.

Note that new requirements will be introduced, for all US Toll Free Numbers to be registered. The aim is to align with the 10DLC regulation.

Migrating to 10 DLC

Who should migrate to 10 DLC?

If you are sending SMS traffic that requires no more than 50 messages per second in throughput, or are sending less than 200,000 messages per day, it is recommended that you migrate to 10 DLC. If you already use a Vonage 10 digit long code number for outbound SMS to the US, you need to register a brand and campaign to conform to the new SMS A2P 10 DLC guidelines.

What do I need to do to prepare for 10 DLC?

If you choose to use 10 DLC for A2P messaging, you need to register your brand and a campaign with use case details. Your SMS traffic will be liable to be blocked by the carriers once they start enforcing 10 DLC, so you should register now to make sure there is no impact to your traffic.

This Use Case Campaign guide will help you classify your use case campaigns and make sure they are approved for 10 DLC, ahead of your transition. The guide will help you determine if you can and should use 10 DLC, or if you should work with your Vonage Account Manager to find a more fitting solution.

After you have created your campaigns and brand, you will need to link your numbers with the campaigns. This will be available in your Vonage API account dashboard. If you have existing LVNs, these can be linked to campaigns, otherwise you can purchase a new number and link it with your campaign in the dashboard.

When do I need to register?

Traffic is impacted based on messages sent to each carrier. The timelines are as follows:

• AT&T Unregistered traffic is liable to be blocked from 1 June 2021. AT&T will start charging a pass-through fee of .002 from 1 March 2021. From 1 May 2021, any unregistered traffic will be charged at .004 and any registered traffic will be charged .003
• Verizon Verizon implemented 10 DLC in early 2020. They are only charging a pass-through fee to customers and there is no registration required.

10 DLC Transition Preparation Items

1. Map your use cases to one of the pre-defined use case campaign descriptions.
2. Determine the required throughput for each use case. See the above chart for guidance.
3. Login to your Vonage API account dashboard and register your brand.
4. Register your campaigns for each of your message use cases.

Vonage Application Partners Preparation

Application Partners sell enterprise SaaS platforms embedded with our Vonage SMS API.

1. Map your use cases to one of the pre-defined use case campaign descriptions.
2. Determine the required throughput for each use case. See the above Migration Options chart for guidance.
3. You can register one brand and one campaign per use case. A unique campaign ID will be associated with this campaign. Log in to your Vonage API account dashboard and register your brand and campaign.
4. You can associate all relevant customers’ numbers to that unique campaign ID, given it is part of the same use case.

Vonage SMS Reseller Preparation

Vonage SMS Resellers are those who resell the Vonage SMS API.

1. Map your use cases to one of the pre-defined use case campaign descriptions.
2. Determine your customer’s required throughput for each use case. See above chart for guidance.
3. You must register each of your customer’s brand and campaign information in the Vonage API account dashboard.

How We are Helping You Meet These New 10 DLC Carrier Requirements

Vonage will provide two solutions to help existing and new customers get started with 10 DLC:

• New API Our new API will enable bulk number management to assist our Vonage Partners and users with larger volumes of numbers. It will also enable you to programmatically manage your brand and campaigns.
• Customer Dashboard Tools Our enhanced Vonage API account dashboard includes brand and campaign management tools to register and manage 10 DLC numbers.

Contact Us

Our team will work closely with you on these changes and help you identify the best solution for your organization. In addition, we will keep you updated on timelines and answer any questions you may have to ensure the optimal benefits of your services and solutions with us. If you have questions, reach out to your account manager.