DLT or Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a revolutionary technological advancement that has taken the telecom industry by storm. It is predominantly used for sending SMS, its application has been significantly amplified in India, thanks to the stringent regulations imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Although, critical use cases like OTP SMS can even be enabled without DLT registration using providers like Message Central. You can send a DLT SMS i.e. an OTP SMS using their content template and customize the same for your brand name.

This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on DLT, its significance and the DLT registration process. Without further ado, let's delve into the details.

Unlocking the Concept of DLT

What is DLT?

DLT, an acronym for Distributed Ledger Technology, is a decentralized digital system devised for recording and managing sender IDs and templates.

Fundamentally, it functions as a digital ledger, recording transactions and their details across a network in multiple locations. The DLT platform ensures the security and transparency of commercial SMS communications, reducing the risk of spam and fraud.

Why is DLT Essential?

1. The primary purpose of introducing DLT is to regulate and manage the flow of communications, such as SMS and voice calls.  
2. DLT creates a transparent and decentralized system that fosters collaboration among telecom operators, businesses, and regulatory authorities to deliver a trustworthy experience.
3. The implementation of DLT brought about regulation and fair play to the usage of SMS.  
4. It also put an end to the problems that businesses and customers faced due to spam messages. Therefore, DLT is deemed necessary to protect customers from unsolicited communication and fraudulent activities.

Understanding the TRAI's Role in DLT

TRAI and DLT: What's the Connection?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) introduced DLT to regulate the bulk SMS industry in India. As per the guidelines set by TRAI, businesses cannot send bulk SMS or voice messages in India without completing the DLT registration process.

The high percentage of spammers led to an increase in fraudulent activities, inability to track SMS senders, and difficulty in penalizing scammers. To alleviate these issues, TRAI introduced DLT to regulate the use of SMS in India effectively. DLT works on the principle of distributed technology, eliminating the need for a centralized control or database. It ensures that any unauthorized data changes are eliminated by matching the information with the changes required.

In the telecom sector, DLT regulates and manages the flow of SMS and voice SMS. It reduces spam and fraud by permitting only authorized businesses to conduct business via SMS.

The Implications of DLT for Different Parties

Customers

From a customer's perspective, DLT offers more control over their consent and preferences. It enhances security and privacy for their data, ensuring a quick and easy complaint resolution.

Bulk SMS Service Providers

For bulk SMS service providers, DLT reduces the risk of fraudulent activity due to the regulatory compliances they must adhere to. It also reduces the upfront cost of starting a telemarketing business.

Business Owners

For business owners, DLT offers several benefits. It enables them to target and reach their audience according to their interests and preferences. Their client data is stored safely and securely, even when shared with other entities. Plus, their SMS messages get a verification badge after authentication and verification via DLT, thereby enhancing brand awareness.

DLT Glossary: Terms You Need to Know

To understand the DLT registration process better, here are some key terms and their definitions:

1. Principal Entity: An individual, firm, government agency, or business trying to send SMS to their customers. ‍
2. End Customer: The mobile subscriber who will receive your SMS.‍
3. Service Provider: These are the bulk SMS providers, also known as telemarketers.‍
4. Telecom Operators: Also known as access providers, they help in the regulation process.‍
5. Regulator: The regulator establishes the regulatory compliance needed for commercial communication’s smooth and efficient functioning.

DLT Registration Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The DLT registration process is divided into three phases: Entity registration, Sender ID registration, and Template registration

1. Entity Registration: Registering your business with a verified operator is the first step. To do this, you will need your Business PAN, GST certificate, and Company registration certificate.‍
2. Sender ID Registration: After entity registration, you need to register your sender ID on DLT. Without a sender ID, you cannot send SMS.‍
3. Template Registration: This is the final phase, where the operator will approve or reject your SMS template.

DLT Registration with Vodafone

You can find your entity/ registration Id in the profile section as shown below: -

You’d also want to register for a content template as shown below.

Conclusion

DLT registration is a vital aspect of managing and sending SMS in India. It offers numerous benefits to business owners, customers, and service providers by ensuring transparency, security, and regulatory compliance. Whether you're sending a promotional SMS or an OTP SMS using an SMS API, DLT registration is mandatory as per TRAI guidelines. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the DLT registration process and comply with it to effectively manage your SMS services.

Get Started with OTP SMS Without DLT Registration

With Verify Now, you can start sending OTP SMS for user authentication or multiple other use cases without any need for DLT registration. Using Verify Now, you can start sending OTPs in 3 simple steps.