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Important Note: This article covers 10DLC long numbers. If you are looking to register toll-free numbers, please refer to The Talkdesk Guide to Toll-Free SMS Verification

What is A2P Messaging?

A2P stands for Application-to-Person messaging. It refers to any SMS or MMS text message sent from a software application to a consumer's mobile phone. If you are sending SMS or MMS messages to U.S. numbers from local U.S. or International numbers using Talkdesk, you must complete the A2P 10DLC registration process.

Unlike traditional P2P (Person-to-Person) messaging - where two people text each other from their personal mobile devices - A2P messaging is used by businesses to communicate with their customers at scale.

Common examples of A2P messaging include: 

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) & OTPs: Login codes sent by banks or websites.
• Automated Alerts: Flight delays, delivery tracking, and appointment reminders.
• Customer Care: Support agents replying to customers via Support platforms.
• Marketing & Promotions: Mass text blasts about seasonal sales or discount codes.

Because A2P messaging is sent via software and can reach thousands of people instantly, telecommunications carriers heavily regulate it to prevent spam and fraud. This regulatory framework is known as 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code), which requires businesses to officially register who they are and what they are sending.

Registering for A2P 10DLC messaging requires strict adherence to telecommunications regulations designed to protect consumers from spam and fraud. Incomplete or vague registrations submitted to The Campaign Registry (TCR) will result in rejections, causing weeks of delays and potential messaging blockages.

To guarantee a successful verification, your application must be flawless across three main phases: Business Identity, Campaign Use Case, and End-User Consent.

Part 1: Proving Your Business Identity (The Brand)

Before campaigns can be approved, the carriers must verify the exact legal entity sending the messages. The information provided in this section must match official tax and business registration records perfectly.

• Legal Business Name: This must be the exact legal entity name registered with the government. Do not use informal "Doing Business As" (DBA) names unless explicitly requested.
• Business Registration ID: For US companies, this is your Employer Identification Number (EIN). For international companies, this is your equivalent national tax ID. (Note: Sole proprietors without a Tax ID always have a low-volume registration path).
• Physical Address: This must be a legitimate physical business address. PO Boxes are generally flagged and rejected.
• Functional Website: You must provide a valid, live website URL that accurately represents your business. If your site is under construction or leads to a dead page, the brand will be rejected.
• Authorized Representative: You must provide the name, title, email, and phone number of a legitimate contact at the company.

Part 2: Defining the Campaign (The Use Case)

Reviewers require precise details regarding the nature of the messages being sent. Vague answers are the primary reason campaigns are rejected.

Campaign Description

Single-word answers (e.g., "Marketing", "Support") will result in immediate failure. You must write a complete, detailed sentence explaining the objective.

Rejected: "We send marketing texts." 

Approved: "This campaign sends periodic SMS messages to customers who have opted in to inform them of upcoming seasonal sales and special discount codes."

Sample Messages

You must provide at least two sample messages that directly relate to your campaign description and adhere to the following strict formatting rules:

1. Identify the Sender: The brand name must be clearly stated in the message (e.g., "Hi from Acme Corp!").
2. Include Opt-Out Language: At least one sample must include instructions on how to stop receiving messages (e.g., "Reply STOP to opt out").
3. Use Brackets for Variables: If your messages are templated, use brackets to indicate dynamic text (e.g., "Your appointment is scheduled for [Date] at [Time]").

Part 3: The Golden Rule of Consent (Opt-in & Opt-out)

Carriers strictly enforce consumer consent. You must provide undeniable proof of how you gather phone numbers and how users can revoke their consent.

• Verifiable Opt-In Mechanism: You must explain exactly how a user agrees to receive texts. Crucial Rule: You cannot send a text message to ask for consent.
  • Example: "End users opt in by visiting our website at www.example.com/contact, checking a box that explicitly agrees to receive promotional SMS, and providing their mobile number."
• Proof of Opt-In: Provide a link to the web form where users opt in. If the software is internal or behind a secure login, you must provide a link to a hosted screenshot or video demonstrating the opt-in process.
• The Privacy Policy Requirement: Your website must have a publicly accessible Privacy Policy. This policy must explicitly state that mobile phone numbers and SMS consent will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.
• Keyword Auto-Replies: You must outline the exact automated messages a user receives if they reply with standard keywords:
  • HELP: Must provide support contact information.
  • STOP: Must confirm the user has been successfully unsubscribed.

Final Review Checklist

Before submitting the registration, ensure the following criteria are met:

• The EIN/Tax ID matches the Legal Business Name on file perfectly.
• The provided website URL is live and functional.
• The Privacy Policy explicitly prohibits sharing SMS opt-in data with third parties.
• Sample messages include the Brand Name.
• Sample messages include opt-out instructions (e.g., "Reply STOP to opt out").
• The campaign description is a full, detailed sentence.

How to Register

1. Submit a support ticket.
2. Provide the required business information and detailed descriptions of your SMS campaign use cases, following the instructions included in the registration form linked within the support ticket.
3. Once your submission is received, Talkdesk Customer Care will complete the registration of your business profile and SMS use cases.

The information you provide will be submitted by Talkdesk to The Campaign Registry (TCR), the third-party organization responsible for managing the A2P 10DLC registration process.

Please review our Best Practices article to maximize your chances of quick approval.