Master the new TRAI regulations. A complete handbook on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Sender IDs, Templates, and scrubbing rules for hassle-free SMS delivery.
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a blockchain-based registration system implemented by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). It creates a secure, transparent record of all entities (businesses), headers (Sender IDs), and message templates used for commercial communication.
The primary goal is to curb unsolicited commercial communication (UCC)—commonly known as spam—and protect mobile subscribers from fraud. In the DLT ecosystem, every SMS sent is tracked, verified, and scrubbed against the user's consent preferences.
Under the TCCCPR 2018 regulation, no business can send commercial SMS without DLT registration. Telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL) will block any traffic that originates from an unregistered entity or uses an unapproved header/template.
Register your company on any one DLT portal (e.g., Jio, Videocon, Airtel). Upload KYCs like PAN, GST, and Authorization Letter.
Once approved as an entity, add your 6-character alphabetic headers (e.g., SOFTMJ). These must reflect your brand name.
For promotional marketing, you must upload a list of customers who have explicitly consented to receive SMS from you.
Register the exact message content you intend to send. Use variables like {#var#} for dynamic data (OTP, Names).
| Header Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Transactional | For OTPs sent by banks only. | 123456 |
| Service Implicit | For OTPs, order alerts, confirmations (Most Common). | SOFTMJ |
| Service Explicit | Marketing messages to consented customers. | SOFTMJ |
| Promotional | Marketing to non-DND numbers. Numeric header. | 123456 |
One-time / 5 Years (varies by operator)
Mostly free with registration
Per SMS additional cost
* Charges are subject to change by telecom operators. Consult the specific DLT portal for latest pricing.
Yes, a single legal entity (company) can register multiple headers (Sender IDs) for its different brands, provided the brand relationship is proven via trademark certificates or authorization letters.
Typically, Entity registration takes 48-72 hours. Header approval takes 2-4 hours, and Template approval takes 2-4 hours, depending on the operator's load.