With the advent of New TRAI rules for Bulk SMS industry, there have been a lot of queries and questions regarding the DLT technology, changes in the revised guidelines, new Bulk SMS routes, etc. To help our clients in understanding the latest TRAI updates and ease their burden, we have compiled frequently asked questions related to DLT in Bulk SMS. Here, you will find the answer of almost every question you have in your mind related to DLT SMS.
As per the new TRAI rules for Bulk SMS, every company, business or organization has to complete DLT registration to continue sending Bulk SMS to their customers. In order to send Bulk SMS, a business entity has to get registered on a DLT platform. Click here to read more about New TRAI rules for sending Bulk SMS in India.
The full form of DLT is Distributed Ledger Technology.
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a blockchain based online panel where the record of entities, sender ID and message templates will be maintained in a safe and secure manner. The whole panel entities will be interlinked with each other thereby regulating the fraudulent practices and creating a transparent SMS sending mechanism.
As per the latest TRAI guidelines for sending Bulk SMS in India, every business entity needs to register with the telecom operators on the DLT platform to continue sending Bulk SMS to their customers and clients. Each Principal Entity/Telemarketer will be accountable to Telecom Operators (Access Providers) who will be directly accountable to TRAI. The whole panel entities will be interlinked and interconnected with each other thereby ensuring transparency in the system.
Yes, watch the video below to understand TRAI New Rules for Bulk SMS
As per the TRAI rules, it is mandatory for a business entity to register on the DLT platform. We have to comply with the TRAI guidelines and therefore we will not be able to process SMS from entities that are not registered on DLT. So, it is advisable to register on the DLT platform as soon as possible to continue sending SMS to your customers
DLT registration is required to regulate the fraudulent activities and bring transparency in the unorganized SMS industry. DLT technology has been introduced in the Bulk SMS industry to safeguard consumer interests and construct a secure, spam-free SMS sending framework. Click here to read more about the emerging need for DLT in Bulk SMS.
Yes, DLT registration is mandatory as per the latest TRAI regulations. Every company/organization has to register on the DLT platform to continue sending SMS to their customers.
As stated by TRAI, New Bulk SMS DLT rules are:
The image below highlights the difference between the previous TRAI rules and the latest TRAI updates for Bulk SMS Industry
Click here to read in detail about the changes in the previous and new rules for Bulk SMS
Transactional, Promotional, Service (Implicit and Explicit).
Transactional route is reserved for Banks for sending OTP SMS. Other bank related messages such as amount withdrawn/deposited, account status, transaction alerts, etc. cannot be transmitted via this route. This route can be used by all Banks including National/Scheduled/Private/Government/MNC. It cannot be used by companies, organizations or institutions.
“745921 is the OTP for online transaction.
Service Implicit route is for sending SMS related to product and service updates. Informative SMS other than OTP fall into the category of Service Implicit. Examples are payment confirmation messages, purchase status, order delivery details, reminders and other crucial alerts can be sent via Service Implicit route. Promotional SMS cannot be sent via this route.
“Your order has been prepared and will be delivered within 30 minutes.”
Service Explicit route can be used for sending marketing related SMS to the customers after receiving their consent. Promotional SMS sent to DND numbers after receiving customer’s permission will come under Service Explicit route.
“This is to inform you that you can avail 15% discount in the policy renewal charges if you make the payment before 15th September.”
Promotional SMS includes the marketing messages for advertising a product or service. Promotional SMS can be delivered only to the NonDND numbers within 10 AM to 9 PM.
“Get upto 50% off on shopping of Rs. 2000 and above. Offer valid for a limited time only.”
Entities present in the DLT Bulk SMS framework:
As shown in the image below, all five entities will be interconnected and interlinked with each other to enhance transparency and security in the Bulk SMS framework.
Mobile Subscriber is the end customer who will receive the SMS. In the latest TRAI rules, Mobile Subscriber holds the right to set SMS receiving preferences, give consent, revoke consent and register complaint against unsolicited texts.
Principal Entity is the company/organization who is sending SMS to its clients and customers. It can be an individual, sole proprietor, partnership firm, or any private/public or Government organization who wants to communicate with their clients using Bulk SMS Service.
Telemarketer is a term used for Bulk SMS Service Provider. It is the Bulk SMS Company that provides a platform for sending SMS. Principal Entity purchases SMS from Telemarketer to send Bulk SMS to their clients.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will govern the DLT operations and establish regulatory compliance to safeguard consumer interests.
No, Entity registration is just one of the steps. DLT registration will be conducted in phases. Once the Entity registration is completed, next steps are Header and Template registration.
Following business entities can register as a Principal Entity
Visit the website of the DLT portal where you want to be registered. Fill all the requested details, upload the required business documents. Once your registration is successfully completed, you can login on your DLT panel and access it.
Following are the different DLT operators in India:
Follow this link to know the DLT registration process in Vodafone: Vodafone DLT registration
Follow this link to know the DLT registration process in Videocon: Videocon DLT registration
Follow this link to know the DLT registration process in Jio: Jio DLT registration
The fee for DLT registration is Rs. 5900.
Yes, DLT registration is free on Jio, Videocon, BSNL DLT portals.
For registering as a Principal Entity, a business entity needs to upload an Identity Proof, an Address Proof and also submit Business Entity proof documents.
Identity Proof: PAN Card
Address Proof: Passport/Voter ID/Driving License
Business Entity Proof: GST Registration, Certificate of Incorporation, TAN, Trade License, Company PAN Card
Letter of Authorization has to be submitted while registering on the DLT platform. It has to be provided on the company letter head where the owner has to provide authority to the individual who is registering on the DLT portal on company’s behalf. It is mandatory to submit Letter of Authorization while registering. It can be written in word document and uploaded as a file in Authorization Document Field.
Click here to download Letter of Authority
Once the Entity registration request is submitted on the DLT portal, the details provided by the Principal Entity will be verified by the registrar. Upon successful verification, the registrar will approve, register and activate the Principal Entity ID on DLT. If there is any discrepancy such as missing documents, incorrect or incomplete details, Entity registration will be rejected. Notification regarding approval or rejection of the entity registration will be communicated on the registered email ID of the applicant.
Registration approval might take 3-5 working days. You will receive notification regarding approval or rejection of the DLT Entity on your registered email ID
No, Principal Entity does not have to register separately on each DLT platform. However, if a Principal Entity is willing to create account in other DLT operator it can register with the existing Principal Entity ID.
If you are already registered with one DLT portal and want to register with another portal, you need to visit the DLT portal URL, select the signup button, click on the checkbox ‘Yes’ that denotes you are already registered on a DLT portal. If you are trying to register as a fresh registration (despite being already registered on a separate DLT platform) an error message stating that ‘Entity ID already exists’ will be displayed on your screen and you need to use your existing Principal Entity ID for completing the registration on the DLT portal.
Your registration request might be rejected due to the following reasons:
Firstly check if you have received OTP on your registered mobile number and verification email on your registered email address. Make sure you have completed mobile number and email ID verification. Even after days of completing the verification, you have not received your Entity registration status, then you need to contact your DLT operator. Send them an email with your application number, registered email ID, company name, and ask them to provide your application status.
Click this link to view the email ID and contact details of DLT operators: DLT Operator contact details
Once the DLT registration request is successfully completed, the Entity ID will be sent on your registered email address.
Yes, your Entity ID will be unique for all DLT platforms.
Once you have registered on a DLT portal, you can login by entering your username and password. An OTP will be sent on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP received and click on the Login button to access your DLT panel.
The next step is to add Telemarketer in your DLT account.
Telemarketer ID is the unique registration number assigned to the Telemarketer at the time of registering on the DLT portal. As per the latest TRAI rules, it is mandatory for every Telemarketer to get registered on the DLT portal to continue providing a platform to the clients for sending Bulk SMS.
At the time of registering on a DLT portal, 2 options get displayed – Enterprise and Telemarketer.
Enterprise: It is also known as Principal Entity. Enterprise can be a company or an organization that wants to send Bulk SMS to communicate with its customers.
Example of Enterprise
Telemarketer: It is the Bulk SMS Service Provider from which a business purchases Bulk SMS to send it to their clients.
Example of Telemarketer
Click here to read more about Enterprise and Telemarketer
The below example is related to Jio portal:
As you login in your DLT panel, you need to click on the Campaign dropdown menu, and select My Telemarketers. Then, click on Manage Telemarketer tab displayed at the right side of the screen.
Telemarketer ID of Amyntas is 1102449610000020713 and Telemarketer name is Amyntas.
Click here to know the step by step process of adding Amyntas as Telemarketer in your DLT account.
The next step after adding Telemarketer in DLT account is to add Header (Sender ID).
Yes, Header was earlier known as Sender ID.
As per new TRAI regulations, Sender ID is now denoted as Header. Header is a unique combination of six characters representing the brand or company name of the sender.
Headers are classified mainly into 2 categories – Promotional and Others (Transactional, Service Implicit, Service Explicit)
TRAI rules for creating Header
Your Header name must begin with the numeric digits as displayed in the table below. Example, if you are a school administrator, your business category would be Education and the first digit of Header should be 3. Similarly, for healthcare sector, Header should start with 4 and so on.
Header for Promotional SMS should be of six numeric digits only. Whereas Header for Other (Transactional, Service Explicit, Service Implicit) should be of six alphabetic characters.
Promotional: 6 Numeric Digits only
Other (Transactional, Service Explicit, Service Implicit): 6 Alphabetic Characters only (without number)
476881, 789324, 863412
DLTdlt, dltdlt, FSTSMS
Click here to know the step by step process of Header registration
A Principal Entity registered on a DLT portal can register a Header.
Messages will be delivered only from the Headers registered on the DLT platform. So, we recommend you to get your Header registered on the DLT platform as soon as possible to avoid any disruption in the message sending process.
No, if a Principal Entity has registered a Header with any one DLT operator then it is not required to register that Header with other DLT portals.
No, there is no restriction on the number of Headers registered by a Principal Entity but the recommended count is 20 Headers per Principal Entity.
A registered Header has a lifetime validity. However, if it is inactive for more than 90 days, registration will be cancelled and it will be made available for other entities.
Header names that are not related to your business or brand cannot be created. Name of celebrities, politicians, trademarks, registered companies, government organizations cannot be used as Header name.
In such cases, you need to provide valid documents that prove co-relation between company name and header. If the operator is not satisfied with the documents submitted and founds discrepancy in them, then your Header might not get approved.
The next step after Header registration is Template registration.
Consent is a permission requested by a Principal Entity (PE) to a customer before sending promotional SMS. As per the new TRAI regulation, it is mandatory to obtain consent from customers before sending Promotional and Service Explicit category SMS. Consent is not required for Service Implicit and Transactional SMS.
Click here to understand the process of Consent Template registration.
No, a Consent Template can only be used once it is approved by the DLT operator.
No, a Consent Template cannot be edited once it is registered. The Principal Entity need to create a new template and submit it for approval.
No, it is mandatory to register Consent Template before sending Promotional SMS.
Consent is mandatory for Service Explicit SMS category but it is not required for Service Implicit SMS category.
No, it is mandatory for a Principal Entity to register Consent Template on the DLT platform to acquire consent from new subscribers before sending promotional category SMS.
Content Template is the actual message text that has to be submitted and get approved by DLT before sending it to your customers. Content Template is required for every single message that will sent to the customers and is mandatory for all SMS routes (Transactional, Service Implicit, Service Explicit and Promotional).
Following table denotes the difference between Consent Template and Content Template
| Features | Consent Template | Content Template |
|---|
| Definition | It is for receiving the customer’s permission before sending promotional SMS | It is the message text that has to be submitted on the DLT platform |
| Routes | It is for Promotional and Service Explicit SMS routes | It is for every SMS route – Transactional, Service Implicit, Service Explicit, Promotional |
| Actual message text | Consent Template should not contain actual message text. It is just to take permission from customers | Content Template should contain the actual text that will be sent to the customer |
| Example Text | We would like to send messages regarding marketing offers from our website. | Dear user, {#var#} is your OTP for Login. |
| Mandatory | Consent Template is mandatory for Promotional and Service Explicit SMS routes | Content Template is mandatory for all SMS routes |
Yes, Content Template is mandatory for all SMS routes.
Click here to register Content Template in DLT
You can use variable feature in Content Template to denote the values that keeps on changing for different customers. You can add variables for values that are different for every customer and keep the remaining message text same for all customers.
ariables can be used by the symbol {#var#}. Values such as amount, date, account number, OTP, customer names, transaction ID, etc. have to be replaced with variables.
Example of using variable for Promotional SMS
Example of using variable for Transactional SMS
Example of using variable for Service Implicit SMS
Example of using variable for Service Explicit SMS
There is no limit on the number of variables that can be used in a Content Template.
Variables are mandatory for Transactional and Service category SMS. It is optional for Promotional SMS category.
No, a Content Template can be used only after it has been approved on the DLT platform.
Yes, you can select multiple Headers for a Content Template. Make sure to select the Headers that you want to use with a particular Content Template at the time of registering it on the DLT platform.
No, a Content Template cannot be edited once it is registered.
Yes, as per the latest TRAI guidelines, each Header and Message Template (Consent and Content) has to be submitted on the DLT platform before sending Bulk SMS in India.
Click here to know the difference between Consent and Content Template and the complete process to map Consent Template with Content Template.
Please follow this article to know the complete contact details of TRAI and all DLT platforms: DLT Support Email ID’s
To add your registered DLT details in amyntas, you need to visit amyntas and enter your mobile number registered in Fast2SMS. The following screen will be displayed.
Once you enter your registered mobile number, an OTP will be delivered to your number and you have to enter the OTP received and click on Verify.
Once you click on Verify, the following panel will be displayed where you can add your approved Sender ID and Content templates.
Click here to know the step by step process of adding registered DLT details in Fast2SMS
Yes, watch the video below to know the process of adding registered DLT details in amyntas
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