DLT Registration

TRAI has made DLT registration mandatory for all businesses and individuals (Principal Entities) that intend to send commercial SMS or make voice calls. This is a crucial step to:

• Control Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) like spam calls and messages.
• Protect customer privacy and preferences (e.g., DND activation).
• Increase transparency in the commercial communication ecosystem.
• Ensure that only legitimate businesses with verified identities and approved content can send messages.

Generally, you will need the following documents:

• Business Identification Proof: Company PAN Card (mandatory), GST Certificate, Certificate of Incorporation (for companies), Business Registration Certificate (e.g., Shop & Establishment Act License).
• Authorized Signatory Documents: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Letter of Authorization (on company letterhead with board resolution if applicable), Recent Photograph.
• Business Address Proof: Utility Bill or Rental Agreement.
• Consent Letter / Self-Certification: A letter on company letterhead.
• Service Agreement on ₹100 Stamp Paper (as per some operator requirements).

The DLT registration process typically involves three main phases after selecting a DLT operator (e.g., Jio, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, BSNL):

• Entity Registration: Register your business/organization as a Principal Entity to get a unique Entity ID.
• Header (Sender ID) Registration: Register the Sender IDs (e.g., your company name or a 6-digit numeric ID) that you will use to send SMS. Headers are categorized (Promotional, Transactional, Service Implicit, Service Explicit).
• Content Template Registration: Register the exact text content of the SMS messages you intend to send. All messages must be pre-approved through a template to ensure compliance. You need to define variables correctly within templates.

Smart 5 Solutions provides comprehensive assistance for DLT registration:

• Guidance: We offer step-by-step guidance on the entire DLT registration process.
• Document Checklist: We provide a clear checklist of all required documents.
• Template Assistance: We can help you understand content template guidelines and best practices for approval.
• Telemarketer ID: We provide our Telemarketer ID (which you'll need to add to your DLT account) to link your account with our SMS services.
• Support: Our team offers dedicated support for any queries or issues you face during registration and post-registration.

• Incorrect/Incomplete Documents: Documents not in the prescribed format or details not matching.
• Invalid Contact Details: Incorrect mobile number or email ID.
• Content/Header Mismatch: Attempting to use content that doesn't match a registered template or an unapproved header.
• Generic/Misleading Content: Using templates that are too generic, contain promotional content in transactional categories, or have invalid variables.

Yes, after successful DLT registration and approval of your Entity, Headers, and Content Templates, you will need to:

• Share your DLT Principal Entity (PE) ID and approved Headers with Smart 5 Solutions.
• Add Smart 5 Solutions' Telemarketer ID to your DLT account.
• Integrate your approved Content Templates (including their Template IDs) into the Smart 5 Solutions SMS panel for sending messages.

DLT categorizes SMS traffic to ensure proper compliance and filtering:

• Transactional SMS: Critical alerts (e.g., OTPs, bank alerts) for registered customers, irrespective of DND status. Only uses 6-digit numeric sender IDs.
• Service Implicit SMS: Important updates or information for customers based on their service subscription or usage (e.g., payment reminders, delivery updates). Delivered to DND and Non-DND numbers. Uses alphanumeric sender IDs (e.g., SMARTR5).
• Service Explicit SMS: Messages requiring explicit consent from customers for service-related updates not covered by implicit consent (e.g., feature updates, new service introductions). Delivered only to Non-DND numbers with explicit consent. Uses alphanumeric sender IDs.
• Promotional SMS: Messages for marketing or sales purposes, sent only to Non-DND numbers who have not opted out. Uses 6-digit numeric sender IDs.

It depends on the SMS category:

• Transactional SMS: Can be delivered to DND numbers.
• Service Implicit SMS: Can be delivered to DND numbers.
• Service Explicit SMS: Can NOT be delivered to DND numbers unless explicit consent has been specifically recorded and registered on DLT for that recipient.
• Promotional SMS: Can NOT be delivered to DND numbers.

Attempting to send messages to DND numbers without proper categorization or consent will result in delivery failure and potential penalties.

SMS scrubbing is the process where telecom operators, powered by the DLT system, automatically check every SMS before delivery. During scrubbing, the system verifies:

• If the sender's Principal Entity (PE) ID is registered.
• If the Sender ID (Header) is registered and approved for that PE.
• If the message content exactly matches a registered and approved content template (including variable positions).
• If the message category (Transactional, Service, Promotional) matches the Header and recipient's DND status.

If any of these checks fail, the SMS is blocked, resulting in a DLT error code.

Yes, some aspects of DLT registration may have validity periods.

• Entity Registration: Generally, Principal Entity registration is a one-time process and does not expire unless there are significant changes to your business details or TRAI revises regulations.
• Headers (Sender IDs): Headers usually have an annual validity and need to be renewed. You will typically receive notifications from the DLT platform regarding upcoming renewals.
• Content Templates: Content templates generally do not expire once approved, but they cannot be modified. If you need to change a template, you must register a new one.

It's crucial to stay updated with the specific DLT platform's guidelines for renewal processes.