DLT Header

A DLT header is your registered sender identity for Indian commercial SMS — the 6-character code that tells recipients and carrier systems who sent the message.

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Definition

A DLT header (also referred to as a sender header or SMS header) is a registered 6-character alphanumeric identifier that serves as the sender name in Indian commercial SMS messages. Rather than seeing a phone number as the sender of a commercial message, Indian mobile subscribers see the registered header name — for example, MYBIZZ or HDBANK.

DLT headers are a core element of India's TRAI DLT framework for commercial SMS, which requires all commercial communications to be traceable to a registered sending entity. The header registration process links the sender identity to the business entity, enabling TRAI and telecom operators to identify the origin of any commercial message.

DLT Header Characteristics

• Length: exactly 6 alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers, no spaces or special characters)
• Format: uppercase — MYBIZZ, HDBANK, AMZN01
• Uniqueness: each header is unique within the DLT system — two organisations cannot share the same header
• Ownership: registered to a specific business entity — the entity that registered on the DLT platform

How DLT Headers Appear in Short Link URLs

In TRAI-compliant short link URLs, the registered DLT header is embedded as a path segment — after the domain and before the dynamic short link ID:

The static portion including the header — https://2s.ms/MYBIZZ/ — must be registered and whitelisted on the DLT platform. The dynamic short link ID that follows can vary per link or per campaign, because the carrier filter only checks the whitelisted static portion.

How to Register a DLT Header

DLT header registration is done directly with Indian telecom operators, not within Cuttly. The process:

1. Choose your telecom operator DLT platform. Major options: Airtel Business DLT, Jio DLT, Vi Business, BSNL DLT. Registration on one operator's platform is typically sufficient; some businesses register on multiple platforms for full coverage.
2. Register your entity. Submit business registration documents (GST, business registration, PAN) to verify the entity identity.
3. Submit your desired header for approval. Choose a 6-character identifier representing your brand. Avoid generic terms — brand-specific headers are approved more readily and are more useful for recipient recognition.
4. Wait for header approval. Typically 1–3 business days. The header is reviewed by the operator for policy compliance and uniqueness.
5. Register your message templates. Pre-approve all message formats you plan to send, including the URL structure with the header path.
6. Configure in Cuttly. Once the header is approved, add it to Cuttly's TRAI tools section (Settings → TRAI / 2s.ms) to create compliant short links using the structure https://2s.ms/YOURHEADER/.

Multiple Headers

Businesses with multiple brands, products or communication types may register multiple DLT headers — one per brand or use case. Each header has its own set of registered templates. In Cuttly, multiple headers can be configured, enabling link creation under different headers for different campaigns or brands within the same account.

Related Terms

• TRAI SMS Compliance
• Spam Protection
• Branded Links
• URL Shortener for India & TRAI