A2P 10DLC

A2P 10DLC is the US system for registering businesses that send application-to-person text messages from standard 10-digit local phone numbers.

A2P means application to person, which covers texts sent by software, such as appointment reminders or sales follow-ups. 10DLC means 10-digit long code, the ordinary local-style number format. US wireless carriers created the 10DLC framework so they could tell legitimate business texting apart from spam.

To send business texts over a 10DLC number, a company usually registers two things through its messaging provider, which submits them to The Campaign Registry:

• The brand: the legal business name, tax ID, website, and contact details.
• The campaign: what kind of messages you will send, sample messages, and how people opt in and opt out.

Unregistered traffic can be filtered, throttled, or blocked by carriers, and providers often charge registration and per-message carrier fees.

A2P 10DLC applies to text messages, not voice calls. It matters for sales teams because many outreach programs pair calls with texts, such as a text after a missed call. If you text leads, your consent language and opt-out handling need to match what you described in your campaign registration. Reply STOP should always work. Note that the TCPA can also apply to text messages, so registration does not replace the need for proper consent.

Sources

• The Campaign Registry: https://www.campaignregistry.com/ (accessed October 17, 2026)
• 47 CFR 64.1200 (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-L/section-64.1200 (accessed October 17, 2026)

This entry is general information, not legal advice.