Short Codes, Anyone?

Short codes or short numbers are special telephone numbers that are used to address SMS and MMS messages from mobile phones or fixed phones. Compared to ordinary telephone numbers, they are specially made at a technological level and are easier to read out and easier to remember. Providers generally avoid overlaps especially in the United States where some classes of numbers are inter-operator. They are widely used for value-added services such as television voting, ring tone ordering and mobile services. To give a classic example of some of the uses of short codes, try finding advertisers slapping text message-based voting campaigns on candy wrappers or big shot media ads.

Short code messages are billed at a higher rate than standard SMS. A customer may subscribe to a recurring monthly service that will be added to their mobile phone bill until they text the word ‘STOP” enabling the users to terminate the service. In ordinary telephone numbers, a network must apply heuristics to determine when dialing is complete because of its length. In the U.S., dialed numbers are generally seven or ten digits long, with an optional prefix of “1”. Numbers on the mobile phones, however, are sent all at once, so the network knows the end of the dialed numbers. They are often associated with automated services that typically require the sender to start a message with a command word or prefix.

Different short codes are used in different countries. In the U.S. for example, the standard lengths of a short code is five and six digits while codes in the U.K. starts with six or eight digits. U.S. short codes for carrier-specific purposes. More often than not, a short code in the U.K. is lengthy and has plenty of propriety codes. SMS short codes are often owned by holding companies who lease them out to service providers and advertisers to promote various services. U.S short codes U.K. short codes are administered by different regulating companies such as the Common Short Code Administration in the U.S and PhonepayPlus in the U.K.

Crucial things you need to know about Short Codes

Before you avail of the services of short codes that advertisers usually slap on our faces, it is crucial to know whether you need one or not. Listed below are some guidelines that may perhaps enlighten you.

1. Shared and dedicated short codes are two kinds of short codes. The former being expensive and loyal to only one customer and may take a while to set up. Shared short codes are shared among customers and use keywords for identification. Short codes only take two months to set up.

2. Customers in the U.S can choose a short code from vanity or select and random codes. Vanity codes may be a bit expensive to register.
3. Dedicated short codes take time and undergo a lot of process.
4. Never assume that the method of obtaining short codes is the same in all countries.
5. Political, religious, pornographic, any form of gambling, and drug related content are not allowed.
6. A response to a HELP text or STOP text is imperative. This helps users to learn more about the short codes and its services.

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Tim Miller is author of this article on Short Code. Find more information about Short Codes here.

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