Legal · Last updated: April 2026

A2P / SMS Compliance

Why SMS compliance matters and what we do for you.

1. What is A2P 10DLC?

A2P (Application-to-Person) 10DLC is the USA carrier framework for sending business SMS via long-code numbers. Since 2021, all US carriers require brand and campaign registration to send SMS from local numbers. Without it, your messages will be blocked or filtered. For every step in order, see our A2P 10DLC registration guide.

2. What TheBigBot Handles

We handle the A2P 10DLC registration process for you:

Brand registration with The Campaign Registry (TCR)
Campaign use case registration (marketing, mixed, customer care, 2FA, etc.)
Trust score submission
Carrier approval and queue management

You provide business details (EIN, business name, website, use case). We submit to TCR and monitor approval.

3. Registration Fees

A2P 10DLC has two fees charged by carriers, billed transparently on your monthly statement:

Brand registration: $4-44 one-time, depending on brand tier
Campaign registration: $1.50-10/month, per use case

Full pricing on our Usage Fees page.

4. Consent & Opt-In Requirements

To send SMS legally under TCPA, you must have explicit opt-in consent from every recipient. Opt-in must:

Include disclosure of the type of messages
Note "Msg & data rates may apply"
Provide opt-out instructions (e.g., "Reply STOP to unsubscribe")
Be documented (we recommend keeping records)

5. What Gets You Blocked

Carriers filter or block:

Messages with prohibited content (SHAFT: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco without proper tier)
Shortened URLs (use your own domain)
Messages to non-opted-in recipients
Excessive volume without approved campaign
Messages that look like spam (ALL CAPS, emoji abuse, etc.)

6. International SMS

Each country has its own SMS regulations. We support 180+ countries at different rates. High-risk corridors (UK, France, Germany) may require additional registration. See your dashboard for per-country rates.

7. TCPA Compliance

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) governs business-to-consumer calls and texts in the USA. Violations can cost $500-$1,500 per message. You are responsible for TCPA compliance. We provide the tools (opt-in handling, STOP keyword, consent tracking) — you must use them correctly.

8. Our Responsibility

We maintain infrastructure that supports compliant messaging: proper STOP keyword handling, opt-out logs, A2P registration, throughput management, and spam filtering. If you follow our guidelines, your deliverability will be excellent.

9. Your Responsibility

You are responsible for: maintaining valid opt-in consent, respecting opt-outs, using proper content, following TCPA, and not using TheBigBot for prohibited SMS campaigns.

10. Contact

Compliance questions? Email [email protected].

Questions? We're here.

Contact our legal team at [email protected] or reach support through the chat widget.

Frequently asked questions

What is A2P 10DLC registration?

A2P (Application-to-Person) 10DLC is the US carrier framework for sending business SMS from local long-code numbers. Since 2021, all US carriers require brand and campaign registration before you can text from a local number. Without it, your messages are blocked or filtered.

Do I need A2P registration to text my leads?

Yes, if you are sending business SMS from a US long-code number. It is a carrier requirement, not an optional step, and there is no way to send compliant business text messages without it.

Does TheBigBot handle A2P registration for me?

Yes. We handle brand registration with The Campaign Registry, campaign use-case registration, trust score submission, and carrier approval and queue management. You provide the business details — EIN, business name, website and use case — and we submit and monitor it.

How much does A2P 10DLC registration cost?

Carriers charge two fees, billed transparently on your monthly statement: brand registration is a one-time $4–44 depending on your brand tier, and campaign registration is $1.50–10 per month for each use case.

How long does A2P approval take?

Carrier approval typically clears within one to two weeks, and occasionally takes longer. It is the one part of onboarding outside our control, so everything else on your account launches on schedule while registration is pending.

What consent do I need before sending SMS?

Under TCPA you need explicit opt-in from every recipient. The opt-in must disclose the type of messages, note that message and data rates may apply, provide opt-out instructions such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”, and be documented so you can evidence it later.

What gets SMS messages blocked by carriers?

Carriers filter or block prohibited content (known as SHAFT: sex, hate, alcohol, firearms and tobacco), messages sent without documented opt-in consent, and traffic from numbers that were never registered for A2P.

What does A2P SMS compliance involve?

Four things: register your brand and campaign for A2P 10DLC with The Campaign Registry, collect documented opt-in consent from every recipient, keep message content within carrier rules, and honor every opt-out such as “STOP”. Registration alone does not make a campaign compliant.

Is A2P 10DLC registration the same as TCPA compliance?

No. A2P 10DLC registration is a carrier requirement that lets you send business SMS from a local number. The TCPA is a federal law about consent, and violations can cost $500–$1,500 per message. You need both: a registered campaign and documented opt-in for everyone you text.

What happens if I send business texts without A2P 10DLC registration?

US carriers block or filter them. Since 2021, every US carrier requires brand and campaign registration before a local number can send business SMS, so unregistered traffic is one of the first things filtered.

Why do carriers filter shortened links in text messages?

Shortened URLs are one of the patterns carriers filter as likely spam. Use links on your own domain in business texts instead.

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