Types of SMS Short Codes: Dedicated vs. Shared

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There are two principal types of SMS Short Code – namely, shared and dedicated.

Shared codes are used by more than one business entity, with the distinction being made between users by the company’s choice of keyword. Shared codes are typically the cheaper option, making them a good choice for running short and unique campaigns.

You should note however that in belarus whatsapp number data many countries, most carriers have discontinued shared short codes. In the US for example, mobile operators now require users to migrate shared short codes to either a dedicated short code or a ten-digit long code (10DLC).

Dedicated codes do not require a dedicated keyword, and are for the exclusive use of a single company. With a dedicated code, SMS traffic goes directly to your account – and you can choose the digits that make up the short code. Typically, this might be a combination of numbers that spells out a word associated with your brand or industry. Alternatively, you can opt for a random code, which is a combination of random numbers assigned by the operator. This is usually the cheaper option.

Zero-rated short codes are a special class of code which companies can use for two-way interactions with their customers. Here, the customer does not pay the cost of sending messages to the company – rather, the business takes on this liability. Organizations typically use zero-rated short codes for opting out, as many regional jurisdictions require free opt-out for business text messaging.