India DLT registration

What is DLT Registration?

DLT registration, short for Distributed Ledger Technology registration, is a process for businesses and entities involved in sending commercial communication (such as SMS or voice calls) to register their sender IDs, headers, and message templates with telecom authorities or service providers.

According to the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR 2018) by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), businesses intending to send bulk SMS must register on a DLT blockchain platform.

DLT leverages blockchain technology to combat unsolicited messages and calls. When a customer subscribes to the Do Not Disturb (DND) service, their data is synchronized in real-time across all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) through a highly secure blockchain system.

Businesses are required to register their:

• Entity Name: The name of the business entity.

• Templates: Pre-approved SMS or communication templates.

• Headers: Sender IDs.

• Consent Templates: Templates showing customer consent.

Every SMS sent is logged on the DLT platform, including details about the business entity, sender name, SMS content, and consent type agreed upon by the recipient.

Types of DLT Registrations

• Enterprise/Principal Entity: Businesses sending messages to their customers or prospects.

• Telemarketer: Entities with direct connections to telecom operators.

• Aggregator: Intermediaries without direct connections to telecom operators.

  
  

For businesses, it's also mandatory to provide your SMS gateway provider with:

• Business entity details.

• Authorized individual details, including PAN Card ID.

• Authorization on the official business letterhead.

Costs of DLT Registration

The one-time DLT registration fee is ₹5,900 for registering on the first platform. Subsequent registrations on additional platforms are free of charge.

Steps for DLT Registration

TRAI has authorized major telecom operators in India to provide DLT platforms. Recommended platforms include Videocon, Airtel, and Jio. Businesses can register on any of these platforms to comply with DLT regulations.

Operator	DLT registration link
MTNL	https://www.ucc-mtnl.in/(opens in a new tab)
BSNL	https://www.ucc-bsnl.co.in/(opens in a new tab)
Jio	https://trueconnect.jio.com/(opens in a new tab)
Airtel	https://dltconnect.airtel.in/(opens in a new tab)
VI	https://www.vilpower.in/(opens in a new tab)
Videocon	https://smartping.live/entity/register-with(opens in a new tab)
Tata Teleservices	https://www.tatatelebusiness.com/dlt-details/

Required Documents for DLT Registration

To register on a DLT platform, you need the following documents:

1. Proof of Business Identification

• PAN Card (Mandatory).
  
  

2. Authorization Documents

• Letter of Authorization.

• Authorized Signatory Details: Board Resolution Copy or Power of Attorney (POA).

3. Proof of Business Entity

• Shop and Establishment Act License.

• GST Certificate.

• CIN Certificate (Certificate of Incorporation).

• TAN Certificate.

• FSSAI License.

• Import/export registration documents.

Principal Entity

The Principal Entity (PE) refers to the company or organization sending SMS messages to its clients and customers. It can be an individual, sole proprietor, partnership firm, private/public company, or government organization using bulk SMS services for communication.

Sender ID (Header)

Once the Principal Entity is registered on the DLT platform, the next step is to register Sender/Header IDs, message templates, and use cases.

Header: As per TRAI regulations, Sender ID is referred to as a Header. A Header is a unique 6-character identifier representing the sender's brand or company name.
Types of Headers:

• Alpha Headers: For transactional, service implicit, or explicit messages.

• Numeric Headers: For promotional messages.

Each registered Header must be linked to a corresponding message template aligned with the purpose of the Header.

DLT REGISTRATION FAQ’S

Is DLT registration mandatory?

Yes, DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) registration is mandatory in India for businesses and individuals sending bulk SMS, as per TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) regulations. This applies to promotional, transactional, and service-related SMS messages.

Do I need to register with TRAI for DLT registration?

No, you do not need to register directly with TRAI for DLT registration. Instead, you must register with a telecom operator's DLT platform that complies with TRAI regulations.