What is A2P 10DLC?

What is A2P 10DLC?

A2P stands for “Application to Peer” or “Application to Person.” It refers to the use of an application to send text messages, as opposed to manually using your telephone. 

Messages sent directly via your phone are P2P or “Person to Person.”

10 DLC stands for “10-digit long code,” which refers to using a local telephone number (123) 456-7890 to text, via an application. These numbers can also be used to make calls. 

While many businesses are familiar with “short codes” - for example, text FUN to 12345 - this type of texting lacks security safeguards, has become ripe for scams and spam, and is unable to facilitate the volume and types of campaigns businesses need today.

For this reason, phone carriers strongly prefer A2P 10DLC, and are laying the foundation for a secure, compliant framework that can handle the texting needs and volume businesses will need long into the future.

PhoneBurner offers a highly efficient and flexible solution for A2P texting and is committed to helping our customers attain and realize the many benefits of A2P 10 DLC compliance.

A2P DLC vs Other Options
Until recently local phone numbers were only intended for person-to-person (P2P) texting and calls. Unfortunately P2P texting is both inefficient and unable to scale to meet the needs of businesses.

While P2P was considered more personal than A2P, that too is rapidly changing. Software like PhoneBurner facilitates seamless back and forth communication (A2P + P2A) between a consumer and business agent, that mimics communication between friends and family. All at a much higher volume than P2P.

10DLC provides the same ability to blend calls and text as a traditional local number, with dramatically increased security, deliverability, efficiency, and scalability.

While sending a higher volume of text messages can still be achieved using short codes, the cost, propensity for spam, and inability to support calls makes it an incomplete solution that businesses (and carriers) are increasingly eager to move away from.

Toll-free numbers are another option for high-volume texting, however they lack the flexibility and personalization small and local businesses need and thrive on.

Next Steps and Registration

Since the launch of A2P 10 DLC in 2019, carriers have been enhancing the framework. The goal is to better support the needs of businesses, while protecting and ensuring the trust of consumers, to create a complete solution to power the future of business texting.

Throughout this time, PhoneBurner has prioritized the expansion of our A2P 10DLC offering to save customers time using templates and disposition-based messaging.

Starting on September 30, 2021 users of A2P 10DLC are required to register with the carriers.

By facilitating your registration and A2P 10DLC compliance, PhoneBurner is excited to help our customers improve throughput, reputation and message deliverability.

Please email compliance@phoneburner.com if you need help or have any questions.