The introduction of 10-digit long code (10DLC) registration has forever-changed the way businesses handle A2P messaging. Since 2021, The Campaign Registry (TCR) has served as the centralized hub for Campaign Service Providers (CSPs) to  register all A2P 10DLC traffic. However, 2023 has seen a strict enforcement of these rules, with many providers setting deadlines for enforced registration.

This enforcement aims to enhance the quality and reliability of messaging while reducing spam and fraud. As businesses scramble to comply, understanding the timeline and processes involved in 10DLC registration is crucial. The process can be lengthy and cumbersome, but with the right approach, it can be expedited significantly.

The Registration Reality

So, how long does 10DLC registration take? Typically, the registration process can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months when using traditional methods. This extended timeline is often due to manual registration processes, where businesses must handle their own registration and wait for manual vetting by Direct Connect Aggregators (DCAs).

Additional time is added when software providers are not registered as CSPs and do not have direct access or visibility into their TCR progress. Instead, they need to funnel everything through their provider as a Reseller, which can result in further delays.

Why the Delays?

The delays in 10DLC registration can be attributed to several factors, including:

Manual Processes

The manual registration process involves multiple steps, including filling out forms, submitting documentation, and waiting for approval. Each step requires time and attention, and any mistakes can lead to further delays. For instance, a retail company might have to resubmit their Brand or Campaign due to minor errors, adding an extra two weeks to their registration time.

DCA Vetting

Vetting by DCAs is a critical step in the registration process, as DCAs review each Campaign to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. This process is done manually and thoroughly.

Compliance Checks

Ensuring compliance with CTIA and mobile carrier requirements involves thorough checks, which add to the overall timeline. Compliance checks are necessary to prevent spam and ensure the integrity of messaging campaigns. For example, a healthcare organization might face delays because their compliance documentation requires extensive review and approval.

These delays have significant repercussions—businesses face increased overhead costs, reduced return on investment (ROI), and potential blockages of their messaging traffic if they fail to meet registration deadlines.

How to Make 10DLC Registration Faster

For businesses grappling with extended registration timelines, services from those like Telgorithm offer a beacon of hope with automated solutions. Telgorithm's approach can dramatically reduce the registration time, ensuring businesses can send fully-registered messages in just a few days.

Here’s how 10DLC registration can be improved.

Supporting CSP Registration for Software Providers:

All software providers offering A2P 10DLC messaging services to their customers should be properly registered with TCR as a CSP. CSPs are the primary users of TCR and the owners of their registered Brands and Campaigns. Through this direct connection with TCR, CSPs have full management control over Brand and Campaign submissions including timeframes, visibility into status, and direct feedback on any issues or rejections. Telgorithm fully supports CSP registration and enablements; in fact, all Telgorithm customers are CSPs.

The Difference: As a CSP, software providers maintain ownership and control over the entire TCR registration process for customers, providing them with the transparency needed to be successful on 10DLC.

Automated Brand and Campaign Imports:

API Integration: Unlike other Connectivity Providers (CNPs), Telgorithm is connected to TCR on the backend to enable API-based registration. When you register with TCR and select Telgorithm as your CNP, your customers’ Brand and Campaign info is automatically sent to Telgorithm, which means your customer only has to enter this information once.

Efficiency Gains: Automated systems can handle large volumes of registrations quickly and accurately, unlike manual processes that are prone to human error and delays.

Expedited Vetting:

Trusted Relationships: Leveraging trusted relationships with DCAs, Telgorithm’s Campaigns go through a dedicated, expedited vetting path, cutting down approval times significantly.

Comparison: Telgorithm is able to maintain Campaign processing timelines in 72 hours or less on average, which takes out the guesswork for our customers.

Automated Migration:

Seamless Transition: Switching to Telgorithm is seamless with automated porting APIs, allowing businesses to migrate existing phone numbers or purchase new ones instantly and in bulk.

Instant Activation: This ensures immediate activation of new Campaigns, avoiding any downtime and allowing businesses to continue their messaging operations without interruption.

Conclusion

All in all, the time it takes to complete 10DLC registration can vary widely depending on the provider and the processes involved. While traditional methods may take a full week or more, solutions like Telgorithm’s automated registration can reduce this timeline to just a few days. For businesses looking to stay compliant and maintain efficient messaging operations, opting for an automated registration process is a clear advantage.

Contact Telgorithm today or request a free trial.