Short Codes

Short codes are a 5 or 6-digit number that allows brands to send and receive text and multimedia messages. Using short codes results in higher message volumes, within shorter time periods, than Long Codes (10DLC) or Toll-Free numbers.

However, Short Codes are considerably more expensive than long codes or toll-free numbers, but they are the most professional solution for brands delivering text messages in US and Canada. However, the approval process for a Short Code is a lengthy process and requires a very thorough vetting from all major carriers.

Short Code messaging throughput starts at a generous 100 messages per second, and you can safely use them for two-way messaging, general notifications, marketing, customer care support or authentication.

Requirements for Short Codes

Notificare streamlines how you provision short codes. However there a few things you need to understand and gather information before requesting one.

Industry Standards

SMS is a highly regulated industry and your company is required to comply with carrier compliance requirements, industry standards, and applicable law. The following resources are a must-read if you want to register a Short Code in US or Canada.

• CTIA’s Short Code Monitoring Handbook
• Messaging Principles and Best Practices for US Short Codes
• Canada-based Short Code campaigns
• T-Mobile's best practices

Lease Type

There are two types of Short Codes you can lease with Notificare - Random or Vanity. If you choose to lease a Random one, a number will be selected for you. If you select a Vanity short code, you can choose a 5-6 digit number from a list of available short codes.

Vanity short codes are more expensive than Random short codes. A price will be displayed to you, whenever you submit your request.

Business Information & Location

You will be required to provide information about your company, location and point of contact.

Required Documents

You will be required to upload several documents in order to submit a Short Code request.

Letter of Authorization

Carriers require a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to be provided and signed by a representative of your company. This will appear in your campaign.

A boilerplate document can be found below:

{BRAND LETTERHEAD}
{DATE}
Short Code Letter of Authorization

To whom it may concern,

This letter confirms that we, {BRAND NAME}, are granting Twilio permission to apply for
a short code under {SMS PROGRAM NAME} on our behalf.

If additional information is needed, please contact shortcodes@twilio.com

Regards,
{NAME AND TITLE OF BRAND REPRESENTATIVE}
{DATE}
{SIGNATURE OF BRAND REPRESENTATIVE}

You will need to upload one in our short code application form.

Terms of Service

To make your short code campaign compliant with Notificare's requirements, your company is required to comply with carrier compliance requirements, industry standards, and applicable law. Per industry standards, you should have a publicly accessible terms of service page for each US short code program.

These terms of service must contain customer support contact information, opt-out instructions, a recurring message disclosure (if applicable), a product description and a program (brand) name. There may also be additional requirements for certain programs like sweepstakes or contests.

Below you find a boilerplate terms of service that cover minimum requirements from the carriers:

{Program name}

1. {Insert program description here; this is simply a brief description of the kinds of messages users can expect to receive when they opt in.}

2. You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP" to the short code. After you send the SMS message "STOP" to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.

3. If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at {support email address or toll-free number}.

4. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages

5. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. You will receive {message frequency}. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.

6. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy: {link to privacy policy}

You will need to upload a draft and the URL of this page in our short code application form.

Opt-in

Text message campaigns require a proper opt-in method which ensures that end-users provide consent to receive text messages. This can take many forms, and you are required to provide information about all the opt-in methods you offer.

A mockup image, or script in the case of verbal opt-ins, of how you are advertising your program to users and collecting their consent must be uploaded in our application form. There are specific required disclaimers that must be presented to your users before their consent can be obtained.

Verbal

Verbal opt-in is the most difficult method to verify, however it is an acceptable method as long as enough details are provided that a 3rd party reviewer can verify. An example of a verbal opt-in would be something along these lines:

• Brand: "As part of our service we can send you automated monthly text alerts regarding account payment activity. We will send two messages per month. Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile phone service plan. At any time you can get more help by replying HELP to these texts, or you can opt out completely by replying STOP. Mobile Terms of Service are available at {URL} and our Privacy Statement can be found at {URL}. Please reply with 'yes' or 'no' to indicate if you would like this service".
• Customer: "Yes please."
• Brand: "Great! We will send you a text message to confirm your enrollment here shortly."

Web/App Form

An embedded form on the brand's website/app that prompts end-users to enter their phone number to opt-in into text messages. Please note that a disclaimer checkbox should not be selected by default. Customers must explicitly confirm that checkbox to proceed.

Via Text

Customers can also opt-in via a text message to a brand's short code. This could be a banner in a website, a billboard, newspaper publication, etc. In those cases, you should also provide an example of that subscription.

Opt-in Message Confirmation

With Notificare you can configure how this confirmation message looks like. Please ensure that it meets the requirements listed below.

Sample Messages

Provide message examples highlighting use case of yourshort code number.

Message Volume

An estimated monthly volume and number of subscribers on the short code phone number you will lease is required before submitting your request. Choose the closest value and if it increases, use the value of where you expect to be in 6 months.

Additionally, you may also disclose expected or planned traffic spikes.

Unsupported Short Code Use Cases

Notificare will not accept nor submit short code registration requests for the following use cases:

These campaigns have been identified as contributing to significant complaints of unwanted messaging by consumers.

Most Common Rejections

Make sure you submit a short code registration with accurate and consistent data. Failing to do so will result in campaign registration rejections.

Approval Period

After submitting a request to lease a short code, our team will start this process and contact you (if some information needs clarification) within 7 business days. The approval process is a length and can take up to 12 weeks. However, cannot guarantee this timeline.

You will be required to make payment before we submit your request to carriers. We will notify you once all 4 major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint) have approved your application. Once approved and live on all carriers, your Short Code will be available for use.