There is plenty of information circulating in the United States about 10DLC (10 Digit Long Codes). Long numbers have always been around. They are not new in the world of messing. You might be wondering why they are being talked about during the past few months. The reason behind this is that 10DLC is an acronym that has been assigned for long code traffic that is carrier sanctioned.
It is important to note that 10DLCs will become more important in the United States since shared Short Codes usage across various clients for A2P (Application to Person) traffic is causing compliance issues resulting in suspension or blocking of all clients.
What Makes Long Codes Different From Short Codes?
When it comes to long codes and short codes, the main difference between the two is their usage intention. Short Codes were made to support A2P bulk and higher throughput messaging, whereas Long Codes were made to support P2P messages. As Short Codes are a pre-approved route, filtering is eliminated.
Over time, the use and demand for messaging channels have completely changed. Long Codes are sending A2P messages, whereas some campaigns using Short Code support P2P experiences. The applications are hosting the desired communication and consent experience. Therefore, carriers are stepping in for better control of traffic to improve deliverability and security.
So, What Is The Problem With Short Codes?
The fact is that shared Short Codes have gained a reputation during the past few years. Here are some of the reasons behind this.
- Sharing: Hundreds of different businesses share Short Codes at times. Each operates them through their own unique keyword for separating traffic. If the traffic is improperly managed, it would result in a poor user experience and make it difficult to manage opt-out/opt-in status. A drawback of sharing Short Code is that if the business uses the same code and is found sending spam, not only would it be blocked, but the Short Code itself would be affected.
- Fraud: Another reason why Short Code is not the best option is that fraudsters can use it for sending spam, phishing attempts, and junk messages. Moreover, they provide the perfect place for the fraudsters to hide. Disappearing amongst hundreds of businesses is much easier.
Keeping because of the above, carriers are working to weed out such bad actors. They also want to add another layer of accountability which Short Codes cannot provide. By using 10DLCs, every business will get its own dedicated number. This would help tackle accountability issues as each business will get vetted.
Benefits of 10DLC
- It is cost-effective and allows the business to speak to its audience in a localized way.
- Helps increase throughput.
- Supports voice calls.
Conclusion
10DLC is becoming more popular due to obvious reasons. As cybercriminals use more sophisticated techniques to hack into networks, carriers are taking action to prevent them.
