ACTION REQUIRED: Every Broadvoice customer must register all b-hive phone numbers that send text messages.

What is the 10 DLC TCR rule?

A lot has recently changed when it comes to business text messaging. The influx of A2P Messaging (Application-to-Person Messaging), which refers to SMS or MMS messages sent from a business to a person, has led to increased regulation by the U.S. wireless carrier industry due to high “open rates” and a deluge of spam and unwanted messages being sent to consumers.

Following the new 10 DLC TCR rule, U.S. carriers have implemented a 10-digit long code, or 10 DLC, to protect consumers. This rule requires businesses that send A2P Messaging over local phone numbers to register their brands and campaigns with The Campaign Registry (TCR), which is a third-party company that handles registering brands and campaigns via campaign service providers.

As of March 31, 2023, U.S. mobile carriers will require all businesses to register brand-specific campaigns for all numbers that send SMS and MMS messages. This will ensure the effectiveness of personalized marketing outreach and prevent messages from being blocked or mistaken for spam.

IMPORTANT: Failure to register will cause delivery delays, content to be blocked, and additional charges for SMS and MMS messages sent from your business account.

SMS Registration FAQs

What do I need to do?

Broadvoice customers need to register all b-hive business phone numbers that send text messages to comply with the new U.S. wireless service provider regulations.

Why do I need to register my business phone number?

Registering your b-hive phone number ensures your text messages will be delivered and prevents your caller ID from showing up as spam.

What is a brand ID?

A brand ID serves as your unique business registration and incorporates your legal business name and federal registration number (EIN or Corporation Number). It identifies your business as responsible for the SMS messages sent to customers.

Most companies only require one brand ID, which equals a legally registered company name. For example, if the dental office, Dental Wellness, sends SMS appointment reminders to customers using Broadvoice, the brand would be identified as Dental Wellness.

What is a campaign?

A campaign is a collection of information used to identify customer use cases that are assigned to a phone number, such as SMS and MMS messages under a brand. Campaigns require CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) guideline compliance for wireless service provider evaluation.

A brand can have multiple campaigns associated with it depending on its SMS usage. For example, if the HVAC company, Cool Air, wants to send appointment reminders to customers via text, the campaign ID would be “appointment reminders.”

The CTIA is a wireless service provider trade organization responsible for messaging guidelines and best practices in the U.S. For more information, please see CTIA Messaging Principles & Best Practices.

What if I don’t register my phone number?

If you fail to register your campaign and phone numbers, your messages and phone numbers can be blocked as non-compliant or non-registered by mobile carriers or the TCR.

What happens after I register?

The registration process takes 3 to 5 business days. During that time, you can continue using SMS messaging. Once the registration is complete, you will receive an email confirmation, and your status in b-hive will be updated for the registered campaign.

How do I register?

TCR Registration user guide.

What are messaging guidelines?

Broadvoice wants our b-hive customers to be active participants in the SMS ecosystem, which follows CTIA messaging principles and best practices.

Broadvoice customers should monitor and prevent unwanted message content, which includes:

• Unlawful, harassing, violent, abusive, or defamatory language
• Deceptive or misleading messages and links, such as phishing
• Dangers to public safety
• Threats or intimidation messages
• Messages that threaten harm, violence, hate, or discrimination
• References to illegal activity
• Messages that contain malware

What business verticals are accepted and recognized by the TCR?

For brand registration purposes, the TCR recognizes a list of 23 business verticals, which makes it difficult for businesses to determine which vertical is the most accurate or appropriate for their brand. If you do not see your specific business in the list below, please use your best judgment from the available examples.

Does Broadvoice charge any fees for campaign registration and SMS campaigns?

TCR charges various fees to manage these registrations, as do SMS aggregators, mobile carriers, and third-party vetting services required by the carriers for specific use cases or SMS traffic volumes. Broadvoice does not charge additional fees or more than the cost that TCR and carriers charge when you register.

• Brand Registrations / Re-vetting: (one time per submissions) $4
• Campaign Registrations (one time per submission): $15
• Campaign Maintenance: (monthly) $10

What types of use cases are not allowed by the TCR?

Controlled Substances:

• All Schedule 1 and 2 drugs
• Cannabis, CBD, and hemp products
• Tobacco and vape

Debt Forgiveness:

• Credit repair programs
• Debt consolidation
• Debt reduction

Get Rich Quick Schemes:

• Deceptive work-from-home programs
• Multi-level marketing
• Risk investment opportunities

High-Risk Financial Services:

• Auto/mortgage/student loans
• Cryptocurrency
• Debt collection
• Gambling/sweepstakes
• Payday loans
• Short-term – high-interest loans
• Stock alerts

Job Postings:

• Exceptions are allowed if the sender is the one hiring

Other Disallowed Use Cases:

• Deceptive marketing
• Frauds or scams
• Lead generation (all affiliate marketing must be carrier approved)
• Phishing
• Pornography
• Profanity or hate speech
• Referral or reseller campaign