SMS template approval procedures

An overview of how to obtain TRAI approval for SMS templates and send them using an SMS Service Provider

We have two types of notifications in Quixy, Email and SMS. Sending an Email notification is hassle-free, but when it comes to SMS notifications, we must pay closer attention to the details of the SMS content/template. As we all know It is now Govt. mandated that an SMS template must pass the TRAI verification test before reaching an end-user mobile phone.

This article will explain the processes involved in getting an SMS template approved by TRAI.

TRAI approval process 

Obtaining TRAI approval is required to register a Sender ID, which is then used by the SMS Service Provider to send SMS. (Sample Sender ID: VVDQXY). The TRAI approves the SMS templates using the DLT platform.

DLT Registration

• You must register the SMS Templates in DLT platform for verification to obtain TRAI approval. What is the purpose of this verification? The reason is simple: to provide credibility, just as you do KYC to obtain a SIM card, you obtain TRAI approval for SMS templates to provide credibility. This procedure eliminates SPAM and fraudsters.

• As we are business consumers, we fall under the Principal Entity Category, the rest are Telemarketers who sell services.
• To register any SMS templates on the DLT platform, you need to have a registered account.
• If you do not have a registered account on DLT platform, you can choose to register.
• If you are not registered as a Principal Entity, DLT platform will provide a Form asking for details to get registered. The details are as follows:
  1. Authorized Contact Person*
  2. Organization Name*
  3. Organization Category* 
  4. Email ID* & Phone Number* (OTP Verification)
  5. KYC Document* (like, GST Registration)
  6. Organization Address* (Used in the KYC Document) and so on
• Once an account is registered & verified with OTP, login to the DLT platform with your credentials and OTP verification.

• As soon as you login, you shall land on the DLT dashboard.

Sender ID/Header Registration

This is the unique ID that is used to send messages.

• On the dashboard, Go to Header SMS -> Header SMS Registration, you can apply for Sender ID/Header approval.

• On the Header SMS Registration page, you will find two drop-downs as given below.
  • HeaderType: This is to classify the SMS as either Promotional or Transactional.

• Category: This is to specify the Organization’s category, whether it is Banking or IT or others.

• Create Header: Based on the header type, provide the 6-digit ID. Once done. DLT platform shall confirm the registration.

SMS Content/Template Registration

• On the DLT dashboard page, Go to Template -> Content Template Registration.

• On the Content Template Registration page, the platform will ask for details to register an SMS template. The details are as follows:
  • Type of communication: Promotion/Transaction

• Template Type: Voice/SMS.
• Category: This is to specify the Organization’s category.
• Content Template Name: Provide a unique Name for the template.
• Choose Header: All the Sender IDs registered on DLT platform and approved by TRAI will be available for you, choose the required ones.

• Template Content: Provide the SMS Content.

• Once the SMS content/template is provided, Submit the form. DLT platform shall confirm the registration.

• The status for all the registered SMS templates can be seen under Templates -> Content Template Details.

SMS Service Provider

The process of sending an SMS with any SMS service provider is the same; all they need is the SMS Template and Sender ID/Header approved by TRAI.

In Quixy, there are two distinguished scenarios of using an SMS Service provider as given below.

1. Quixy’s own SMS Service Provider (SMSCOUNTRY)
2. 3^rd party/Respective organization’s SMS Service Provider, i.e., users who have their own SMS Service provider have complete freedom over the SMS Template configuration.

Let us first see the process of sending an SMS to an end-user using the Quixy’s SMS service provider.

Quixy’s own SMS Service Provider

Organizations using Quixy’s SMS service provider will have to work closely with the Quixy support team to establish the SMS Templates.

• To obtain TRAI approvals for any type of notification, whether Platform Default messages (such as OTP, User Deactivated, etc.) or Configurable/Dynamic messages (such as App Notifications), you must share the designed SMS Template with the Quixy Support Team. Please follow the advice provided by Quixy Support.

3rd party/Respective organization’s SMS Service Provider

Organizations with their own dedicated DLT Registration & SMS Service Provider have complete freedom to obtain TRAI approvals for SMS templates and use them to send through their own dedicated SMS Service Provider. Since SMS messages are initiated by Quixy, Organization Admins must configure the third-party SMS Service Provider in Quixy.

Quixy's Standard DLT Approved Templates