Phone Carriers’ New Requirements for Business Texting

by AnneMarie McPherson

National phone carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon are starting to implement new requirements for business texting to counteract telemarketing spam. The requirements primarily focus on businesses using application-to-person (A2P) text messages sent via 10-digit long code (00310DLC) phone numbers, which are phone numbers that include a local area code and support high volume texting.

Most major phone carriers will start requiring businesses to register their texting campaigns and follow various protocols with their texts, such as obtaining consent. Businesses may be subject to large fines and penalties for non-compliance.

The 10DLC requirements are different in certain respects for each carrier and are at varying stages of application and development. Most agents and brokers who use 10DLC texting will likely be able to work on compliance with any requirements in coordination with their third-party texting vendor.

What steps should agents take next?

We recommend that agencies stay current with developments from their cellular carrier as well as those their customers may be using.
We recommend that agents renew consent by obtaining a new opt-in form annually, such as when the agency meets with the client to review coverages prior to renewal. An opt-in template is available for all Big “I" member agencies.

For more information on these developments, visit the following links: