Distributed ledger technology or DLT is a digital structure for retaining and handling the records of sender identities and templates.

DLT is a block-chain enabled registration process.

Telecom authorities require telemarketers to register all their senders, headers, and templates in the DLT platform.

This is to control the spam in SMS from marketing firms.

Here are the 4 types of template creation and examples for them.

1) Transactional Message Templates:

Any message that contains OTP and requires completing a banking transaction initiated by a bank or financial institution is a transactional message.

This applies to all banks (national/scheduled/private/govt. or MNCs).

For Example:

• OTP message required for completing a net-banking transaction
• OTP message required for completing credit/debit card transaction at a merchant location

Example Template Required:

{#var#} is the otp for trxn of inr {#var#} at {#var#} with card{#var#}. otp is valid for {#var#}. pls do not share with anyone

Sample Message:

824926 is the OTP for the transaction of Rs. 57.75 at Zaak Services with your SBI card xx3931. OTP is valid for 10 mins. Please do not share OTP with anyone.

2) Service Implicit Templates:

Messages for customer’s action typically against a transaction/relationship with the enterprise that is not promotional, are Service Implicit messages.

For Example:

• Confirmation messages of Net-banking and credit/debit card transactions
• Product purchase confirmation, delivery status, etc. from e-comm websites
• Customer making payments through Payment Wallet over E-Commerce website/mobile app and an OTP is sent to complete the transaction
• OTPs required for e-comm website, app logins, social media apps, authentication/verification links, securities trading, Demat account operations, KYC, e-wallet registration, etc.

Example Template Required:

Thank you for using EMI Facility on your IDBI Bank Credit Card 4***3495 EMI request for Rs. 25000.00 executed on 01/07/2019

Sample Message:

Thank you for using EMI Facility on your IDBI Bank Credit Card {#var#} EMI request for {#var#} executed on {#var#}

3) Service-Explicit Templates:

The messages that require explicit consent from the customers are service-explicit.

These have been verified directly from the recipient in a robust and verifiable manner and recorded by the consent registrar.

Additionally, a consent template can be linked while creating a service explicit content template.

For Example:

• Messages to the existing customers recommending or promoting their other products or services

Example Template Required:

Your Rs.500 exclusive voucher is UNUSED!! Redeem it on purchase of Rs.1,000 at Marks & Spencer. Use code 654321001 Valid till 31st Mar 2020! T&C.

Sample Message:

purchase of Rs.1,000 at Marks & Spencer. Use code 654321001 Valid till 31st Mar 2020! T&C. Your Rs. {#var#} exclusive voucher is UNUSED!! Redeem it on purchase of Rs. {#var#} at Marks & Spencer. Use code {#var#} Valid till {#var#}! T&C.

4) Promotional Message Templates:

These are messages sent to promote a product or service.

Service content mixed with promotional content is also treated as promotional.

These messages are sent to customers after performing the preferences and consent scrubbing function.

Additionally, a customer consent template can be linked while creating a service explicit content template.

For Example:

• Messages to the new and existing customers recommending or promoting their other products or services

Example Template Required:

Lifetime Free ICICI Bank Credit Card with Vouchers from LensKart, Pepperfry, Grabon worth Rs.3000. SMS “apply” to 5676766 TnC apply

Sample Message:

Lifetime Free ICICI Bank Credit Card with Vouchers from LensKart, Pepperfry, Grabon worth Rs. {#var#}. SMS “{#var#}” to 5676766. TnC apply