Is DLT Registration mandatory? Exploring the complete TRAI guidelines
DLT, which stands for Distributed Ledger Technology, is an essential registration process mandated for all business entities as per TRAI guidelines and service providers operating in the Bulk SMS Industry. It serves as a blockchain-based registration system designed to meticulously monitor transaction records.
DLT is a platform that enables all business entities to register their entities, sender IDs, and message templates. This helps TRAI control unwanted and fraudulent activities in the SMS industry.
Is it possible to send Bulk SMS without DLT registration?
No, it is not possible to send bulk SMS without DLT registration. DLT registration is a mandatory process for all business entities and service providers in the Bulk SMS industry to comply with regulatory requirements. It ensures transparency and accountability in SMS communication and helps prevent spam and fraudulent activities. Therefore, businesses must complete the DLT registration process with proper documentation before sending bulk SMS messages.
Why is DLT registration required for bulk SMS?
DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) registration is required in India for bulk SMS providers to comply with the regulations set forth by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The objective behind implementing DLT registration is to bring transparency and accountability to the SMS industry and prevent spam messages and unsolicited marketing calls.
DLT platforms act as a database that records all the SMS traffic between businesses and consumers. The data is maintained securely and transparently, and the information cannot be tampered with or deleted. This helps to prevent fraud and spamming activities and allows consumers to have more control over the SMS messages they receive daily.
By mandating DLT registration, TRAI aims to create a safe and secure environment for SMS communication in India. This also helps businesses maintain a good reputation and avoid any legal issues related to non-compliance.
Documents required for DLT registration
1. Company PAN Card Copy
2. Company GST
3. Letter of authorization
4. Authorized Signatory Direct Entity
Process for DLT Registration
TRAI’s DLT registration for bulk SMS is a step-by-step process that includes four stages:
1. Registering your business entity
2. Header registration
3. Content and Consent template registration
4. Associating headers and consent templates with them
Getting all of these done is essential for the success of your bulk SMS campaigns.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of registering your business as an entity and registering headers. Once your company is registered, you can start sending bulk SMS to your customers.
To get started, log in to your DLT account and select the Entity tab. Then click Header to open the header page. In the header section, choose a header type and enter a header name. You can also add a description of the header and state why you are requesting it. Once you’ve entered all of your information, you’ll see that your header is pending review. The registrar's team will contact you via email or phone in case there are any discrepancies with the information you submitted.
1. Entity Registration
TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has released new rules regarding bulk SMS to curb unsolicited commercial communication (UCC). All SMS-sending entities, including enterprises, telecom operators, and telemarketers, need to register on a DLT platform.
DLT is a blockchain-based online panel that keeps records of entities, sender IDs, and message templates safely and securely. This helps eliminate SMS spam and fraud while maintaining communication transparency.
It enhances mobile customers’ domestic privacy by not allowing unsolicited messages to reach their home phones. In addition, DLT registration ensures that only opted-in users receive promotional and transactional messages.
The DLT registration process is quick and easy and allows telemarketers to keep track of their records. Once the registration is complete, a unique Entity ID will be assigned to the entity.
Enterprises, also known as principal entities, are companies that purchase Bulk SMS to communicate with their clients and customers. They can be individuals, partnership firms, or private or government organizations.
They can have multiple employees and locations across the country or around the world. In addition, they may have several different marketing initiatives that require them to connect with their customers in bulk.
To be a registered enterprise, you need to meet the requirements of the state where you do business and submit an application for entity registration. This will document that your company is legitimate, has met all required fees and taxes, and has been in good standing with the government.
When you submit your application for entity registration, you need to upload all of your documents.
Documents Required
It includes tax returns, financial statements, and other records. You should also provide proof that your business has been in operation for at least the past year.
Once you are registered, your company will receive a unique Entity ID and a confirmation email. You can then add this ID to your account with Space Edge Technology to begin sending bulk SMS.
DLT registration is the first step towards a successful and sustainable bulk SMS business. You should complete this registration as soon as possible before your company is unable to continue sending bulk SMS.
2. Header Registration
To minimize spam texting, The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) requires that all entities and service providers that send bulk SMS messages register their details— entity or organization name, message templates, headers, and consent information—on distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms. This process can be confusing for many people, but it’s necessary to ensure that the end-user has a legitimate reason for receiving promotional SMS from the business.
A business’s Entity ID is the unique alpha-numeric code that it receives from its telecommunications provider for use while sending SMS. This unique identification allows a company to leverage its brand name, product, or service across multiple mobile devices and service providers.
After you register your business as an entity, the DLT platform verifies your documents and issues you a unique Entity ID. Then you register headers on the platform’s portal using this ID and a six-digit numeric sender ID for each message template.
Next, you register a content template and get it approved. Then you associate the header and consent templates with the content template, which is what the DLT platform stores in its database. You’ll also receive a unique TEMPLATE ID for each template.
The DLT registration process for bulk SMS is easy and fast, thanks to the new blockchain technology that it uses. TRAI is even updating the rules to require all SMS service providers to be DLT registered as of June 2020.
3. Consent Template Registration
A consent template is a standard message that enterprises must send to users to obtain their opt-in consent to receive promotional communications. Consent is not required for Service Implicit and Transactional SMS types, but for Promotional and Service explicit SMS types, it is important to obtain consent from users before sending them promotional messages.
As per TRAI regulations, every Principal Entity (PE) is required to register its consent template on the DLT platform before sending bulk SMS. Once it has been approved, the PE can link the template with a choice of content templates (promotional/Service Explicit category only).
The consent templates should include details such as the brand or product, the purpose for which it is being used, and an indication that users can opt out of receiving future communications. It should also contain a unique template identifier.
Once the consent template has been registered, the next step is to add customer consent data to the DLT platform. This includes the mobile number of the subscriber or customer and the date of consent acquisition.
To create customer consent templates, use a text editor and input your template details into the field provided. Then click the Save button to save the template.
Adding this information is not mandatory but is recommended for the safety and security of your customers. This is to ensure that no unintentional misuse of their permission can occur.
In addition, your customer consent data must be uploaded on the TSP system before July 15, 2021, by TRAI TCCCPR 2018. If the data is not registered before this date, the consent template will be deemed null and void by the TSPs.
As per the TRAI guidelines, every Header and Message Template must be registered on the DLT platform. It is critical to keep track of each template and header so that you can track your delivery status.
There are four kinds of templates in DLT. The three most common are
· Transactional
· Service implicit
· Service explicit
· Promotional
Each of these has its own specific requirements, so it’s best to choose a template type that suits your business needs.
4. Content Template Registration
Content template registration is the process of registering the content template for sending SMS. This is an important step as it ensures that your content is approved before you send the messages to your customers.
A content template is a document that contains all the necessary information that needs to be included in a message. This helps you ensure that your message is on-brand and aligns with your overall marketing strategy. It can also help you avoid any confusion that could arise while creating and delivering your messages.
During this process, you’ll need to create a name for your content template and select the type of message it will use. You’ll also need to decide whether it’s text or Unicode and what language it should be sent in.
Then, you’ll need to specify the headers for your content template. For example, if you’re creating an OTP template, you’ll need to include the OTP token in the header.
You’ll also need to add the brand name if you’re sending OTPs and a message category if you’re creating a promotional template. Finally, you’ll need to link the consent template to your content template in the promotional category.
Once you’ve completed all these steps, you can submit your content templates to the DLT platform. To do this, log into your DLT platform account and choose the template type you’re trying to register.
When you’re registering a message template, you should make sure that it doesn’t have any extra spaces or new lines. You’ll also need to ensure that it has a variable section, which allows you to replace values like amount, date, a/c number, merchant name, OTP, codes, URL, customer names, and transaction IDs.
Once you’ve successfully submitted a content template, you can map it to one or more Sender IDs in your SMS panel. This is a great way to streamline your process and make it easier for you to send bulk SMS.
Conclusion
In conclusion, DLT registration has become a mandatory requirement for businesses and service providers in the Bulk SMS industry as per TRAI guidelines. It is a vital step toward ensuring transparency, security, and accountability in SMS communication. By implementing DLT registration, businesses can effectively combat spam, fraudulent activities, and unauthorized messaging.
By participating in DLT registration, businesses gain several advantages. They can enhance the reliability of their SMS campaigns, strengthen customer trust, and improve overall messaging efficiency. DLT registration also enables businesses to comply with legal requirements and industry standards, reducing the risk of penalties and reputational damage.
Space Edge Technology
Space Edge Technology, a trusted DLT registration service provider, understands the importance of compliance and security in the digital age. Our mission is to simplify the registration process and assist businesses in navigating the complexities of DLT registration seamlessly. With our user-friendly platform and dedicated support team, we strive to make DLT registration a hassle-free experience for our clients.
We offer a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses. Our experts guide businesses through the entire registration process, providing step-by-step assistance and ensuring adherence to regulatory guidelines. We facilitate the creation of digital signatures, the verification of business details, and the submission of necessary documents to the DLT platforms.