Short Code
Learn about dedicated short codes and how to call the API for your account's number information
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Learn about dedicated short codes and how to call the API for your account's number information
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Was this helpful?
A dedicated short code is a 5 or 6-digit phone number for sending and receiving messages that is exclusively owned by a single brand or organization (example: 52001).
Dedicated short codes have the best throughput (rate of messages sent per second) and the most convenience for users (since they are short, easy to remember, and easy to type into a phone). Dedicated short codes allow sends of 100s or 1000s of messages at once, with high deliverability rates.
Dedicated short codes have a much higher SMS throughput volume (starting as high as 350 messages per second or 21,000 messages per minute). So messages will go out faster than with 10-digit numbers.
Dedicated short codes are convenient for your audience because they are typically 5-6 digits.
Registration is required to use a short code in any capacity.
Dedicated short codes are the most costly SMS marketing option, with a one-time $2,500 provisioning fee and a $600/month leasing fee (premium and vanity codes may cost more).
Set-up time is significantly longer than other options, as it can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 4 months to get final approval from the mobile carriers.
Short code numbers give you the highest throughput by far, at as much as 21,000 text messages per minute.
Unlike 10DLCs, short code numbers have no daily limits.
Dedicated short codes cost significantly more than other messaging options, so we recommend dedicated short codes as the best fit for businesses with a more robust budget who have a large number of messages to send on a regular basis.
There are three types of dedicated short codes. You can lease each one of these or migrate your existing dedicated code through Mobile Text Alerts.
Premium short codes allow spelling out a brand name or a significant word using a mobile phone’s dial pad. These codes create memorable customization, but may be pricier than other options.
Examples: 827438 for “Target” or 262966 for “Amazon."
Vanity short codes are numbers that you can select from a list of available codes. With this option you can choose a code that is easy for your customers to remember.
Depending on the options available, you may even be able to select a code that fits your brand without paying the full price of leasing a premium short code.
Random short codes are short numbers that are randomly assigned.
The benefit of choosing a random short code is that you receive all the same short code features for a lower cost than a premium or vanity short code.
If you’d like to lease a dedicated short code for your business, you can .
Just as you can view , you can view your all account's numbers and data about them such as name, type, status, and more by calling the endpoint.
