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Carrier Guide

T-Mobile 10DLC Compliance Guide

Comprehensive T-Mobile policy tracker covering registration requirements, content restrictions, error code remediation, approval timelines, and enforcement mechanisms

100%
10DLC Mandatory
24-48hr
High Trust Approval
4 Tiers
Enforcement Actions
Real-Time
Edge Filtering

T-Mobile 10DLC Framework

Mandatory registration requirements and carrier-specific compliance standards

T-Mobile enforces mandatory 10DLC registration for all business messaging with zero exceptions. The carrier operates edge server filtering systems that analyze message content in real-time, throttle throughput for policy violations, and coordinate cross-carrier enforcement actions. DUNS-verified brand registration significantly improves approval speed and trust score assignment.

Zero Tolerance Policy

100% of business messaging requires 10DLC registration. Unregistered traffic faces immediate throttling or blocking.

Edge Server Filtering

Real-time content analysis blocks prohibited content at network perimeter before delivery to subscribers.

Cross-Carrier Coordination

Violation reports shared with AT&T and Verizon for network-wide enforcement and blocklisting.

T-Mobile's Enforcement Philosophy

Proactive Spam Prevention: Real-time filtering algorithms identify and block spam patterns before subscriber complaints accumulate
Graduated Response System: Warning notifications → throughput reduction → temporary suspension → permanent blocklist based on violation severity
Immediate Action on Critical Violations: SHAFT content, phishing attempts, and fraud trigger instant sender suspension
Network-Wide Coordination: Violation data shared across T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon to prevent sender migration between carriers

Critical Success Factors

  • DUNS Registration Priority: Obtain DUNS number before brand registration for +10-15 trust score points
  • Content Policy Compliance: Zero tolerance for cannabis/CBD, SHAFT content requires strict message validation
  • Brand-Website Alignment: Legal business name must match domain registration and state filings exactly
  • Use Case Accuracy: Campaign use case must precisely describe actual message content to avoid rejection

T-Mobile Registration Requirements

Comprehensive checklist for successful brand and campaign approval

Brand Registration Essentials

Required Elements
  • Legal business name (exact match to state filing)
  • EIN/Tax ID number verification
  • Physical business address (no PO boxes)
  • Active business website matching brand name
  • Valid business phone and email
  • Industry vertical classification
Strongly Recommended
  • DUNS Number: +10-15 trust score points, accelerates approval
  • Domain Age 6+ months: Validates business legitimacy
  • Business Registration Docs: Articles of incorporation strengthen verification
  • Online Reviews: 4+ star rating improves trust score

Campaign Registration Specifications

Use Case Selection Accuracy

Choose the most specific use case matching actual message content. Vague or mismatched use cases trigger manual review delays.

Low-Risk (Fast Approval)
2FA, account notifications, delivery updates
Standard (3-5 Days)
Marketing, promotions, mixed content
Special (7-10 Days)
Charity, political, emergency
Sample Message Requirements

Provide 3+ sample messages showing content variation and brand name inclusion. Messages must align with selected use case.

✓ Good: "Hi [Name]! Your ACME Corp order #12345 shipped today. Track: [link] Reply STOP to opt out."
✗ Bad: "Your order shipped. Track here: [link]" (Missing brand name, vague content)
Opt-In & Opt-Out Documentation

Describe consent capture workflow and STOP keyword processing with specific details.

  • Opt-In: "Customers check box on checkout page agreeing to marketing messages"
  • Opt-Out: "Reply STOP triggers immediate database suppression with confirmation message"
  • Help: "Reply HELP for support contact info and opt-out instructions"

Top T-Mobile Rejection Reasons

1
Brand Name Mismatch: Legal name on TCR registration doesn't match website domain or state business filing
2
Prohibited Content Detection: Sample messages contain cannabis/CBD references or SHAFT violations
3
Use Case-Content Mismatch: Samples show promotional content but use case selected is "account notifications"
4
Inadequate Opt-In Description: Vague consent workflow like "users opt in on website" without specifics
5
Inactive Business Website: Domain returns 404 errors or shows "under construction" placeholder

T-Mobile Content Restrictions

Prohibited content categories and enforcement mechanisms

SHAFT Content (Strictly Prohibited)

Sex & Adult Content
  • • Sexually explicit material or imagery
  • • Adult entertainment services or products
  • • Dating services with explicit content
  • • Escort or companion services
Hate Speech
  • • Discriminatory messaging based on race, religion, ethnicity
  • • Content promoting violence against groups
  • • Extremist or hate group recruitment
Alcohol
  • • Promotional alcohol advertising
  • • Beer, wine, spirits sales or offers
  • • Exception: Age-gated delivery notifications OK
Firearms & Weapons
  • • Gun sales, ammunition, or accessories
  • • Weapons promotion or advertising
  • • Explosives or dangerous materials
Tobacco & Vaping
  • • Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco
  • • E-cigarettes, vaping products, nicotine devices
  • • Tobacco accessories or paraphernalia

Cannabis/CBD/Hemp (Zero Tolerance)

T-Mobile maintains strict prohibition on all cannabis-related messaging regardless of state legalization status. This policy applies to:

Prohibited Products
  • • Marijuana (medical or recreational)
  • • CBD oils, tinctures, edibles
  • • Hemp-derived products
  • • Delta-8, Delta-9, Delta-10 THC
  • • Cannabis accessories or paraphernalia
Prohibited Messages
  • • Product promotions or sales
  • • Dispensary location or hours
  • • Pricing or special offers
  • • Educational content on cannabis
  • • Event announcements at dispensaries
Enforcement Actions
  • • Immediate campaign suspension
  • • Permanent sender blocklisting
  • • Cross-carrier violation reporting
  • • No appeal or reinstatement
  • • Brand-level trust score impact

Additional High-Risk Categories (Heightened Scrutiny)

Financial Services
  • • Payday loans and short-term lending
  • • Get-rich-quick schemes or investment "guarantees"
  • • Cryptocurrency promotions (requires enhanced review)
  • • Debt relief or credit repair services
Phishing & Security Testing
  • • Phishing simulation requires pre-approval from T-Mobile
  • • Must include clear "this is a test" disclaimer
  • • IT security training campaigns need documentation
Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)
  • • Recruitment-focused messaging restricted
  • • Income claims require FTC-compliant disclaimers
  • • "Work from home" offers face elevated scrutiny
Political Campaigns
  • • Candidate campaigns allowed with proper registration
  • • Must comply with FEC disclosure requirements
  • • Issue advocacy campaigns require review

T-Mobile Error Code Database

Common rejection codes with specific remediation guidance

Error Code Description Remediation
9106 Brand identity verification failed - business name mismatch Ensure TCR legal name exactly matches state business registration and website domain
9108 Website validation failed - domain inactive or inaccessible Verify website loads properly, SSL certificate valid, domain matches brand registration
9607 Campaign use case does not match sample message content Select more specific use case or revise samples to align with declared category
9610 Prohibited content detected - SHAFT violation Remove all references to sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, tobacco from samples
9612 Cannabis/CBD/hemp content detected Campaign ineligible for T-Mobile approval - must discontinue cannabis messaging
9701 Inadequate opt-in consent documentation Provide detailed description of consent capture: page location, checkbox language, confirmation flow
9702 Missing or unclear opt-out mechanism Include STOP keyword in all samples; describe automated opt-out processing
9801 Low trust score triggers manual review Obtain DUNS number, improve online reputation, age domain 6+ months before resubmitting
9803 EIN/Tax ID verification pending TCR validating with IRS; approval delayed 3-5 additional business days
9900 Sender flagged for prior policy violations Contact T-Mobile compliance team; may require brand rehabilitation or permanent blocklist
Expert Support

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