If you’re looking to supercharge your business’s customer engagement, you’ve probably stumbled across 10DLC while exploring texting strategies. It might sound like a techy term, but it’s actually a straightforward, powerful way to connect with customers via text messaging.
Whether you’re already using AI voice agents, a voice AI platform, or call center solutions powered by natural language processing, adding 10DLC to your toolkit can take your communication game to new heights.
Let’s break down what 10DLC is, why it’s a big deal, and how it works alongside existing systems like AI phone systems to boost customer service in the real world.
10DLC stands for 10-Digit Long Code, and it’s the modern standard for business text messaging, also known as A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging. Picture a regular phone number—like the one you’d use to text a friend—but optimized for businesses to send texts at scale.
It’s carrier-approved, designed to understand and respond to customers in a way that feels personal, and built to integrate seamlessly with tools like AI voice agents or speech recognition systems.
Unlike traditional phone numbers meant for casual chats, 10DLC is tailored for businesses using AI agents or automated systems to send high-volume texts.
Whether you’re sending promotional offers, appointment reminders, or real-time customer service updates, 10DLC ensures your messages get delivered without being flagged as spam.
It’s registered through The Campaign Registry (TCR), which verifies your business and messaging plans, making it a perfect fit for existing systems like call centers or voice AI platforms.
In short: 10DLC is like a local phone number with the power of an AI phone system, designed to help businesses connect with customers reliably and compliantly. If you’re looking for tools to scale messaging, check out AI SMS Agent Builder from ContactSwing
Carriers didn’t create 10DLC just for fun—it was a response to some serious real-world challenges:
1. Tackling spam and fraud: Customers were getting swamped with shady texts from unknown numbers, and carriers needed a way to ensure businesses were legit. 10DLC registration verifies who’s sending messages, reducing spam and building trust.
2. Improving deliverability: Even honest businesses were seeing their texts blocked because carriers couldn’t distinguish them from spammers. 10DLC ensures your messages reach customers, much like how speech recognition in AI voice agents ensures clear, accurate communication in real time.
By requiring businesses to register their numbers and campaigns, carriers can confirm:
• You’re a real business, not a scammer.
• The types of messages you’re sending (e.g., marketing, notifications, or customer service updates).
• Your customers have opted in to hear from you.
This creates a cleaner texting ecosystem, where customers trust the messages they receive, and businesses can answer questions or provide updates without getting lost in the spam folder.
So, why should your business jump on the 10DLC bandwagon? Whether you’re running a call center, using a voice AI platform, or relying on AI voice agents for customer interactions, 10DLC brings a ton of benefits:
• Local trust: A 10-digit number with a familiar area code feels like a text from a neighbor. Customers are more likely to open and respond compared to texts from short codes or toll-free numbers.
• Scalability: Need to send thousands of texts a day? 10DLC handles high volumes effortlessly, just like AI voice agents manage multiple calls in a call center.
• Two-way conversations: 10DLC isn’t just for sending messages—it’s perfect for real-time, back-and-forth chats, like answering customer questions or confirming appointments.
• Compliance made easy: Registering for 10DLC keeps you compliant with regulations like the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) and CTIA guidelines, avoiding fines and ensuring deliverability.
• Budget-friendly: Compared to short codes (which can cost $850–$1,500 a month), 10DLC is far more affordable while delivering enterprise-grade reliability.
Plus, 10DLC integrates smoothly with existing systems, so you can pair it with your voice AI platform, AI phone systems, or AI voice agents to create a unified communication strategy that understands and responds to customer needs in the real world. Want to learn more? Book a demo or contact us
Not sure how 10DLC compares to other texting options? Here’s a quick breakdown:
• Short Codes (e.g., 12345): These are great for massive campaigns (think big brands or national promotions), but they’re expensive and feel impersonal. They also take longer to set up than 10DLC.
• Toll-Free Numbers (e.g., 1-800 numbers): These work for nationwide businesses but lack the local vibe that drives engagement. They’re not as optimized for high-volume A2P messaging either.
• 10DLC: The sweet spot. It’s affordable, trusted, and designed for compliant, scalable texting. It’s like the natural language processing of texting—intuitive, effective, and built for real-world communication.
If you’re already using AI voice agents or speech recognition in your call center, 10DLC complements those tools by adding a texting channel that feels just as personal and responsive. Ready to start? Create your account.
Before you start texting with 10DLC, you’ll need to check a few boxes to stay compliant and ensure your messages get delivered. Here’s the rundown:
1. Register with The Campaign Registry (TCR): This is where you tell carriers who you are and what you’re texting about. You’ll need to provide:
• Your legal business name and Tax ID/EIN (or equivalent).
• Your business type (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietor, Non-Profit, etc.).
• Proof of online presence (like a website or social media).
• Details about your messaging campaigns (e.g., marketing, customer service, or notifications).
2. Get Carrier Approval: Carriers review your info and assign throughput limits (how many texts you can send daily) based on your campaign type. This process can take a few days to two weeks, similar to setting up AI voice agents in a call center.
3. Set Up Compliance: Carriers are strict about consent, so you’ll need clear opt-in and opt-out processes, much like how AI phone systems handle customer interactions. For example:
• Opt-in: “Text JOIN to get updates.”
• Opt-out: “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
• Help: “Text HELP for info.”
⚠️ Pro Tip: Don’t skimp on compliance. Skipping proper opt-ins, sending spammy content, or ignoring opt-outs can lead to blocked messages or fines—nobody wants that hassle. Need a tool to manage this easily? Use AI SMS Agent Builder.
10DLC is versatile enough to fit into all kinds of businesses, just like natural language processing powers a wide range of AI voice agent applications. Here are some ways companies are using it:
• Appointment Reminders: Doctors, salons, and auto shops send texts like, “Hi Sarah, your appointment is tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply YES to confirm.”
• Promotional Offers: Retailers and e-commerce brands share deals like, “Flash sale! 25% off this weekend only-shop now at [link].”
• Customer Support: Businesses use two-way texting to answer questions in real time, much like an AI phone system or AI voice agent handles calls.
• Delivery Updates: Restaurants and logistics companies keep customers in the loop with texts like, “Your order is on the way—ETA 10 minutes!”
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Secure login codes sent via text, ensuring safety and convenience.
Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise with a call center, 10DLC adapts to your needs, working alongside AI voice agents and speech recognition tools to create a seamless customer experience. To see how this can work for your business, book a demo.
Still curious? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
1: What does 10DLC stand for?
10-Digit Long Code—a carrier-approved phone number for business texting, designed to understand and respond to customers effectively.
2: Is 10DLC only for big companies?
A: Nope! From small startups to enterprises with call centers, 10DLC scales to fit any business size.
3: Do I need to register?
A: Yes. Registration ensures compliance and prevents your texts from being blocked, much like how speech recognition ensures AI voice agents deliver accurate responses. Get started today and create your account
4: How much does 10DLC cost?
A: It’s budget-friendly: a one-time $4 brand registration fee, $10–$15 monthly per campaign, and per-message fees of $0.002–$0.01. Way cheaper than short codes!
5: Does 10DLC integrate with my existing systems?
A: Absolutely. 10DLC works seamlessly with voice AI platforms, AI phone systems, and AI voice agents, creating a unified communication strategy. Explore integrations in our AI SMS Agent Builder
6: Is 10DLC U.S.-only?
A: For now, yes—it’s specific to U.S. carriers, but similar systems are emerging globally.
10DLC isn’t just another phone number—it’s a smarter, more reliable way to connect with customers in the real world. It combines the trust of a local number with the scalability and compliance of an enterprise-grade system, making it a perfect match for businesses using AI voice agents, voice AI platforms, or natural language processing in their call centers.
Whether you’re sending a handful of texts a week or thousands a day, 10DLC ensures your messages get delivered, your customers stay engaged, and you stay compliant.
It’s affordable, flexible, and built to integrate with your existing systems, so you can answer questions, provide updates, and build stronger relationships in real time.
👉 Ready to get started? Check out our detailed guide, How to Register for 10DLC: An Easy Guide for Businesses, to set up your 10DLC and start texting with confidence. Pair it with your AI voice agent or AI phone setup, and watch your customer service soar.
