In recent years, text messaging has become an increasingly popular way for businesses to communicate with their customers. However, the rise of spam and other forms of unwanted text messaging has led carriers to implement new rules to regulate commercial text messaging.

These new rules, known as 10DLC, or 10-digit long code, went into effect in the United States on January 1, 2022. 10DLC rules are designed to ensure that businesses only send text messages to customers who have opted in to receive them, and that these messages are relevant and timely.

Effective July 5, 2023, all 10DLC phone numbers used to send SMS and MMS messages to U.S. phone numbers must be fully registered to an approved campaign under your brand. Messages sent using unregistered phone numbers will be subject to a gradual increase of message blocking, beginning on July 5, 2023, ultimately leading to a full block of all unregistered U.S.-bound messages sent after August 31, 2023.

What are the 10DLC rules?

The 10DLC rules have a number of requirements that businesses must meet in order to send text messages to customers in the United States. These requirements include:

• Registering with The Campaign Registry. This can be done from within the Grow Scale Win platform. Visit the “Phone Numbers” tab and access the Trust Center. From there, follow the prompts. (Pro Tip: be certain that the information you enter exactly matches the Internal Revenue Service CP575 Notice you received after applying for your Employee Identification Number (EIN). The database being used by The Campaign Registry to verify business identity is based on that information. If it doesn’t match, the process gets slowed down considerably and may result in an initial rejection of your application.

• Obtaining consent from subscribers. Businesses must obtain clear and unambiguous consent from their subscribers before sending them text messages. This consent can be obtained through a variety of methods, such as a checkbox on a website form or a text message opt-in. However, you are advised to consult your attorney before implementing any text campaigns.

• Providing clear opt-out language. Businesses must provide clear and easy-to-understand opt-out language in all of their text messages. This language must make it clear that subscribers can opt out of receiving text messages from the business at any time.

• Consider Using Toll-Free Numbers. As an alternative to A2P 10DLC, you may also consider using Toll-Free phone numbers and complete the registration within the Grow Scale Win platform for your use cases. Some customers have found Toll-Free number verifications to be simpler and more cost-effective.

• Using a dedicated 10-digit long code. If not using a Toll-Free Number (TFN), businesses must use a dedicated 10-digit long code for their text messaging campaigns. This code will be used to identify the business to carriers and subscribers. Grow Scale Win offers both 10 DLC and TFN phone numbers to its subscribers.

• Complying with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The TCPA is a federal law that regulates telemarketing and other forms of unsolicited commercial communication. Businesses must comply with the TCPA in order to send text messages to customers in the United States. TCPA law is unfortunately complex. You are advised to consult a knowledgeable attorney who specializes in this area of law.

Important: What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Businesses that do not comply with the 10DLC rules may face fines of up to $1,500 per violation. They may also have their messages blocked by carriers, which will reduce their ability to reach their customers.

Additionally, the carriers are issuing per message fees for any unregistered texts.

IMPORTANT: As with all platforms like ours, any fees assessed to Grow Scale Win for non-compliance will be passed on to you (per Grow Scale Win's Terms of Service). As much as we love you, our customers, we cannot pay your fines and stay in business.

Despite these new rules and potential fines, don't stress out about the carrier 10DLC rules and TCPA. As long as you follow the law, carrier rules, and create an appropriate process for opting in, you should have no issues whatsoever.

How can businesses become 10DLC compliant?

Your can become 10DLC compliant by registering your phone numbers with The Campaign Registry through the Grow Scale Win platform. As stated above, visit the “Phone Numbers” tab in the settings section and access the Trust Center. From there, follow the prompts. You can learn more about the compliance process here.

How can Grow Scale Win help businesses become 10DLC compliant?

Grow Scale Win is a text messaging platform that makes it easy for businesses to become 10DLC compliant. With Grow Scale Win, businesses can:

• Register with The Campaign Registry via the Grow Scale Win platform.

• Obtain consent from subscribers before sending any text messages.

• Provide clear opt-out language on each text.

• Use a dedicated 10-digit long code or toll-free number.

• Comply with the TCPA and carrier rules.

• Don't try to bypass the carrier rules in any way whatsoever.

• Be smart; Don't SPAM people.

In addition, Grow Scale Win offers a number of other features that can help businesses improve their communications campaigns.

Conclusion

The 10DLC rules are a new set of regulations that businesses must follow in order to send text messages to customers in the United States. These rules are designed to protect consumers from spam and other forms of unwanted text messaging, and they also help businesses to build stronger relationships with their customers.

Grow Scale Win is a text messaging platform that can help businesses become 10DLC compliant and improve their text messaging campaigns. With Grow Scale Win, businesses can easily register with The Campaign Registry, obtain consent from subscribers, provide clear opt-out language, and use a dedicated 10-digit long code or Toll Free Number. Grow Scale Win also offers a number of other features that can help businesses improve their text communications campaigns, such as A/B testing, analytics, and reporting.

If you are a business that sends text messages to customers in the United States, then you need to become 10DLC compliant. Grow Scale Win can help you do that. Sign up today and see how Grow Scale Win can help you succeed.