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10DLC

10DLC (short for 10 Digit Long Code) is a policy from cell phone carriers for organizations that use software to send text messages. The 10DLC scheme requires organizations to register with cell phone carriers and describe their usage before using software like Spoke to send text messages.

Please see Adopting 10DLC to start the registration process.

We are committed to supporting you throughout the registration process, and offer registration and ongoing 10DLC enrollment at no additional cost. Contact us at any time at support@withtheranks.com

History and background​

Before the development of 10DLC, cell phone carriers discouraged organizations from using software to send messages from local phone numbers (in carrier jargon: long codes) to other local phone numbers. Carriers pushed organizations to instead purchase short code numbers or toll-free numbers, which required lengthy and expensive setup procedures and opt-in procedures.

In the 2010s, software was developed to avoid these extensive setup costs and procedures. Instead of sending messages from short-code or toll-free numbers, this software provided ways to send text messages from individual cell phones to other cell phones. This concept, known as peer-to-peer texting, allowed political campaigns and organizers to quickly contact voters and volunteers. Eventually, this ecosystem developed into modern texting software, which allows users to directly send text messages via internet telecom services without managing individual cell phones.

The advent of software-based texting lowered technical and financial barriers for sending texts, leading to an increase in spam. In response, cell phone carriers introduced the 10DLC policy to provide a sanctioned platform for organizations to send text messages using long codes. The stated objective of the 10DLC program is to protect consumers from unwanted spam while still allowing businesses to connect with their customers.

Starting in 2025, carriers will completely block all unregistered long code traffic. Organizations must register themselves as a 10DLC brand, and all messages sent on 10DLC channels will be associated with this brand. This registration costs money and deanonymizes message traffic, increasing the risk to spammers.