DLT SMS Message Types

Understand Implicit and Explicit Messages

Understand Your SMS Message Category

Before registering your DLT Content Template, it is important to understand the type of message you intend to send.

SMS messages can be classified into different categories, including Transactional, Service Implicit, Service Explicit and Promotional.

The examples below are intended to help you understand the difference between Implicit and Explicit service-related communications and promotional messages.

Service Implicit Messages

Service Implicit messages are generated because of a customer's action or an existing relationship with an enterprise and do not contain promotional content.

  • Order confirmation
  • Order status update
  • Shipment / dispatch update
  • Delivery update
  • Appointment confirmation
  • Appointment reminder
  • Payment confirmation
  • Payment status update
  • Bill / invoice notification
  • Account-related notification
  • Service activation notification
  • Service renewal reminder
  • Subscription status update
  • Booking confirmation
  • Booking cancellation / update
  • Complaint / ticket status
  • Application status
  • Account verification-related notification
  • Transaction-related alerts
  • Service interruption / maintenance notification

Service Explicit Messages

Service Explicit messages are service-related communications that do not fall under Service Implicit and are sent against the appropriate digitally verified / verifiable consent.

  • Customer-specific service information requiring consent
  • Service-related communications outside Service Implicit
  • Customer-requested service communications
  • Service information for which applicable consent has been obtained
  • Service-related updates that do not qualify as Service Implicit

Important: Service Explicit messages should be used according to the applicable DLT category and consent requirements.

Promotional Messages

Promotional messages are communications used to promote products, services, offers, campaigns or other marketing activities.

  • Promotional offers
  • Discount offers
  • Sale / Campaign messages
  • Festival offers
  • Coupon / Promo code messages
  • Product promotion
  • New product launch promotion
  • Service promotion
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Cross-selling offers
  • Up-selling offers
  • Membership / loyalty offers
  • Promotional event invitations
  • Special customer offers
  • "Buy Now / Shop Now" promotional messages

Transactional Messages

Transactional messaging is a separate category from the Service Implicit and Service Explicit examples above. Your DLT registration and template category should match the applicable message type.

For the detailed route definitions and DLT registration requirements, please refer to the DLT Registration page.

DLT Message Classification

Quick reference

Message Type General Purpose Examples
Transactional Transaction-related communications falling under the applicable transactional category. Transactional notifications and applicable OTP communications.
Service Implicit Non-promotional service communications arising from a customer's action or existing relationship with the enterprise. Orders, bookings, payments, delivery updates, appointments and service notifications.
Service Explicit Service communications that do not fall under Service Implicit and require the applicable consent. Service-related communications requiring digitally verified / verifiable consent.
Promotional Marketing and promotional communications used to promote products, services, offers or campaigns. Offers, discounts, coupons, product promotion, campaigns and promotional events.

Important: The message category, Header and Content Template should correspond to the applicable DLT requirements. Always ensure that the message content submitted through OnlineSMS matches the approved DLT template.

DLT Template Matching

Your SMS content must match the approved DLT Content Template. Differences in static content, spaces, punctuation, line breaks or other characters can result in message rejection.

For variable content, use the variable format registered with the DLT template and ensure that the submitted message follows the approved template structure.

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