In the United States, Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code (A2P 10DLC) regulations have been established to ensure that business messaging complies with carrier guidelines and maintains high deliverability and security standards.  

However, there are scenarios where businesses might need to enable SMS verification without using A2P 10DLC. Message Central’s SMS verification service, Verify Now, offers an alternative solution that allows businesses to achieve secure and reliable SMS verification using their own content templates.

This article will guide you through the process of enabling SMS verification without A2P 10DLC, leveraging the capabilities of Message Central’s Verify Now service.

Steps to Get Started Without A2P 10DLC for SMS Verification?

To start sending SMS verification codes without A2P 10LC, you can use Verify Now’s infra to enable the service. Here are the steps which you’d need to follow:

1. Signup for a free account: You can use your email and phone number to signup with Message Central.‍
2. Navigate to Verify Now: After OTP verification, you’d land on the dashboard where you can click on “Get Started” under Verify Now.
3. ‍Send an SMS verification SMS: Once you are on the screen below, you’d be able to enter your phone number and also see an SMS preview. You’d also be able to edit the brand name after you top up.

The standard content template for an SMS verification SMS is – “<4-8 Digits Code> is your one-time password (OTP) for user authentication from <variable>”. Although, the template can vary depending on the operator.

4. Receiving the SMS verification code: You’d receive the message from Message Central’s 10DLC number with your brand name in the SMS.

5. Integrate with APIs: Once you’ve tested the text message OTP service, you can use “Try with Code” and use the APIs to integrate. You’d find a user guide and a video guide for any integration help. You can also reach out to the team in case you need any help.

6. Monitor and Optimize: Once you have started using the API, you can use the Analytics section to check important metrics like no. of SMS sent, no. of SMS delivered etc.

Understanding the Need for Alternatives to A2P 10DLC

A business needs to register for A2P 10DLC to streamline business messaging, ensuring compliance and improving message deliverability. Despite its benefits, there are challenges and limitations associated with it especially for small businesses. Some of them are mentioned below:

1. Registration Complexity: The process of registering 10DLC numbers can be complex and time-consuming.‍
2. Cost: There are costs associated with the registration and ongoing use of 10DLC numbers.
3. ‍Flexibility: Some businesses require more flexibility in their messaging strategies than what is allowed under the stringent 10DLC guidelines.

Compliance and Best Practices for SMS Verification

Even without using A2P 10DLC, it’s essential to adhere to best practices and compliance guidelines to ensure your SMS verification service is effective and secure: Numbered List

1. Resend OTP: Always give an option to users from where they can resend an OTP after a set permissible time.‍
2. Fallback Mechanism: Always use a fallback mechanism with your SMS verification provider where if a user is unavailable on one channel, they can receive the code on another channel.
3. ‍Data Security: Protect user data by using secure methods for generating and sending OTPs.
4. ‍Content: Clearly highlight the OTP number and actionable in your SMS template.

Benefits of Using Verify Now without A2P 10DLC

1. Simplified Process: No need for complex 10DLC registration processes.‍
2. Cost-Effective: Avoid the costs associated with 10DLC numbers.‍
3. Flexibility: Greater flexibility in messaging strategies and content customization.‍
4. High Deliverability: Leverage Message Central’s robust infrastructure to ensure high deliverability rates.

Conclusion

Enabling SMS verification without A2P 10DLC is possible and can be highly effective using Message Central’s Verify Now service.

By leveraging your own content templates and integrating with the Verify Now API, you can ensure secure, reliable, and cost-effective SMS verification for your users

This approach provides flexibility and simplifies the implementation process while maintaining high standards of deliverability and compliance.