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{{more citations needed|date=February 2017}}
'''<span lang="en">Short</span> codes''', or '''short numbers''', are short digit-sequences—significantly shorter than [[telephone number]]s—that are used to address messages in the [[Multimedia Messaging System]] (MMS) and [[short message service]] (SMS) systems of [[mobile network operator]]s.<ref name="twilio">{{cite web |title=What is an SMS Short Code? |url=https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-is-a-short-code
Short codes are designed{{cn|date=December 2023}} to be easier to read and remember than telephone numbers.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Short Code - What Is It, How Should You Use It? |url=https://www.cm.com/en-za/glossary/short-code/
Organisations may set up short codes to encourage users to engage with services such as [[Mobile donating |charity donations]], mobile services, ordering [[ringtones]], or television-program voting.<ref name=":0" /> Messages sent to a short code can be billed at a higher rate than a standard SMS and may even subscribe a customer to a recurring monthly service that will be added to the customer's mobile-phone bill until the user texts, for example, the word "STOP" to terminate the service.
== Short codes and service identifiers (prefix) ==
Short codes are often associated with automated services. An automated program can handle the response and typically requires the sender to start the message with a command word or prefix. The service then responds to the command appropriately.
In ads or in other printed material where a provider has to provide both a prefix and the short code number, the advertisement will typically follow this format:
*Example 1 - Long version: Text Football to 72404 for latest football news.
*Example 2 - Short version: football@72404
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=== Australia ===
Short codes are six or eight digits in length,<ref name="burst">{{cite web |title=Burst SMS Blog - Lesson 3: Shortcodes & Virtual Numbers |url=https://blog.burstsms.com.au/l3-shortcodes-virtual-numbers/ |website=Burst SMS Blog |date=
=== Bangladesh ===
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=== Belgium ===
Codes are four digits in length.<ref name="ringring">{{cite web |last=Marchand |first=Maïwenn |date=2021-10-17 |title=What Are SMS Short Codes? |url=https://www.ringring.be/blog/what-are-sms-short-codes/ |website=The Ring Ring Company |language=en-US |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125050158/https://www.ringring.be/blog/what-are-sms-short-codes/ |archive-date=2020-11-25 |access-date=2022-12-27 }}</ref>
=== Botswana ===
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=== Brazil ===
Codes are five digits in length.<ref name="salesforce-br">{{cite web |title=Brazil MobileConnect Guide for SMS Sending |url=https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=sf.mc_moc_sending_guide_brazil.htm&type=5
=== Cambodia ===
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=== Canada ===
Canadian Common Short Codes can be five or six digits long. Common Short Codes beginning with a leading '4' are reserved for private use by wireless network operators. Four-digit Common Short Codes are not permitted due to handset incompatibilities. Short code-based messages vary between ''zero-rated'' (paid for by campaign), ''standard rate'' (user is responsible for standard carrier charges), and ''premium rate'' (varies, [[Canadian dollar|C$]]1-10). Canadian Short codes are governed by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association.<ref name="txt">{{cite web |url=http://www.txt.ca/ |title=TXT Splash |publisher=Txt.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220151319/https://www.txt.ca/ |archive-date=2017-02-20 |access-date=2011-10-17 }}</ref>
In February 2020, CWTA (Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association) announced that Rogers Wireless will no longer participate in general use mobile codes in the future. A common short code is a code that is shared by more than one brand for multiple or general uses.<ref name="salesforce">{{cite web |title=Help And Training Community |url=https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=000381337&type=1 |website=salesforce |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105133205/https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=000381337&type=1 |archive-date=2023-01-05 |access-date=2023-01-05 }}</ref>
=== Chile ===
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=== European Union ===
Common EU-wide codes start with 11. Examples include: 118xxx - directory services,<ref name="europa">{{cite report |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:006713a5-e725-4980-a3c3-0573e3c3199f.0001.02/DOC_1&format=PDF |title=Progress Report on the Single European Electronic Communications Market (15th Report) |date=2010-05-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227181934/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:006713a5-e725-4980-a3c3-0573e3c3199f.0001.02/DOC_1&format=PDF |archive-date=2022-12-27 |access-date=2022-12-27 }}</ref> 116xxx - emergency helplines. This is in addition to the EU-wide emergency number 112.
=== Faroe islands ===
Codes are four digits in length, beginning with "12" or "19".<ref name="faroe">{{cite web |url=https://www.fjarskiftiseftirlitid.fo/fo/fjarskifti/nummarskipan
=== Finland ===
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=== Hong Kong ===
Codes are four to eight digits in length, start with digits 501-509.<ref name="ofca-hk-codes">{{cite web |title=Assignment of Codes for Value-added SMS / MMS |url=https://apps.ofca.gov.hk/apps/CodeAssign/content/code_list.asp |website=ofca hk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427094310/https://apps.ofca.gov.hk/apps/CodeAssign/content/code_list.asp |archive-date=2021-04-27 |access-date=2021-04-27 }}</ref> Emergency number is 992.<ref name="hk-992">{{cite web |title=992 Emergency SMS - User Guide |url=http://www.police.gov.hk/info/doc/smsemg_e.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729220651/http://www.police.gov.hk/info/doc/smsemg_e.pdf |archive-date=2014-07-29 }}</ref>
=== Hungary ===
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=== Republic of Ireland ===
Short codes are five digits in length, and start with 5. The second digit generally indicates the maximum price, with 0 = completely free, 1 = standard text rate only, 3 = [[Euro|€]]0.60, and 7 having no maximum. Codes beginning 59 are ostensibly intended for adult services, but few if any of these codes are used.<ref name="comreg">{{cite web |url=http://www.comreg.ie |title=Commission for Communications Regulation - RegTel Information |publisher=ComReg.ie |date=2016-01-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116051123/https://www.comreg.ie/ |archive-date=2016-01-16 |access-date=2024-08-29 }}</ref>
=== Italy ===
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=== The Philippines ===
Codes are seven digits in length. The [[National Telecommunications Commission]] (NTC) is a regulatory agency providing an environment that ensures reliable, affordable and viable infrastructure and services in information and communications technology (ICT) accessible to all.<ref name="ntc-ph">{{cite web |url=http://portal.ntc.gov.ph/wps/portal |title=The National Telecommunications Commission Web Portal |publisher=Portal.ntc.gov.ph
=== Russia ===
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=== South Africa ===
Codes are five digits in length. Short codes will start with either a "3" or "4". For example, 34001 or 42001. Each short code or short code range (a range will generally be 34000 to 34009) are assigned specific tariffs or end user prices (EUP). The tariff charges can range from [[South African rand|R]]0.50 to R30.00 on mobile originated billing and from R0.50 to R50.00 using mobile terminated billing.<ref name="waspa">{{cite web |url=http://www.waspa.org.za |title=WASPA Website |publisher=Waspa.org.za
=== Spain ===
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=== United Kingdom ===
Codes are usually five, six or seven digits in length, mostly starting with 6, 7 or 8.<ref name="sccbr">{{cite web |url=https://www.short-codes.com/codes/browse/60000-64999/100_1 |title=Codes |publisher=Short-Codes.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918234956/https://www.short-codes.com/codes/browse/60000-64999/100_1 |archive-date=2012-09-18 |access-date=2011-10-17 }}</ref> The range of codes may be expanded in time to use other leading digits such as 4. Shortcodes are often owned by holding companies<ref name="smss-shar-dedi">{{cite web |url=http://www.smsshortcodes.co.uk/shared-and-dedicated-shortcodes.htm |title=A Short Guide to a (UK) Short Code |work=SMSshortcodes.co.uk |date=2009-03-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906091016/http://www.smsshortcodes.co.uk/shared-and-dedicated-shortcodes.htm |archive-date=2011-09-06 }}</ref> who then lease them out to service providers and advertisers to promote SMS services, charitable fundraising and marketing promotions such as news alerts, voting and quizzes.
Codes starting 70 are used by charities.<ref name="sc">{{cite web |url=http://www.short-codes.com/ |title=Short-Codes.com |publisher=Short-Codes.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112123208/https://short-codes.com/ |archive-date=2012-01-12 |access-date=2011-10-17 }}</ref> Codes starting 72 are used by Society Lotteries.<ref name="sc" /> Adult related mobile services must use codes starting 69 or 89. Mobile operators sometimes use proprietary codes (either with a different leading digit, or shorter in length) for operator-specific functions. Depending on the service offered, users may interact with service providers either by calling the number, or by sending and/or receiving a text or MMS message.
Calls to mobile shortcodes may be free, or may be charged per call or at a per minute rate. Where the number can be called from any mobile network, the same charge will apply from all networks.
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Messages sent to mobile shortcodes may be charged at a "standard rate", or with an additional premium charge. Where messages incur a "standard rate" charge, this is set by the sender's mobile provider and varies by provider.
Messages received from shortcodes may be free or may incur a premium charge. Messages can be used to deliver additional content, or a URL link that opens the users [[web browser]] at a specific web page. For subscription services, the charges may recur on a daily, weekly, monthly or other basis. To stop a subscription based shortcode service text the word 'STOP' to the shortcode number.
The service provider must state the applicable charges alongside the number. Calls and messages to mobile shortcodes do not count towards inclusive allowances or bundles.
Where the benefit passed on to the service provider is more than 10p per call, per minute, or per message, Ofcom's ''Premium Rate Services Condition''<ref name="ofcom_prs_cond_2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/phones-telecoms-and-internet/information-for-industry/general-authorisation-regime/prs-condition.pdf |title=Premium Rate Services Condition |date=2018-07-26 |publisher=Ofcom |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241116081125/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/phones-telecoms-and-internet/information-for-industry/general-authorisation-regime/prs-condition.pdf |archive-date=2024-11-16 }}</ref><ref name="ofcom_prs_cond_2018">{{cite web |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-2-6-weeks/116576-icss-services-rules/associated-documents/statement-review-of-the-premium-rate-services-condition.pdf |title=Review of the Premium Rate Services Condition |publisher=Ofcom |date=2018-09-21 |pages=36–39 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240614001909/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-2-6-weeks/116576-icss-services-rules/associated-documents/statement-review-of-the-premium-rate-services-condition.pdf |archive-date=2024-06-14 }}</ref> defines it as being a ''Controlled Premium Rate Service'' (CPRS) and subject to the additional regulation detailed in ''The Regulation of Premium Rate Services Order 2024''.<ref name="ofcom_prs_order">{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/1046/pdfs/uksi_20241046_en.pdf |title=SI:2024/1046 - The Regulation of Premium Rate Services Order 2024 |publisher=Ofcom |date=2024-10-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113231408/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/1046/pdfs/uksi_20241046_en.pdf |archive-date=2024-11-13 }}</ref>
Until 31 January 2025, these services were regulated by the [[Phone-paid Services Authority]].<ref name="psa_ofcom_transfer">{{cite web |url=https://psauthority.org.uk/news/news/2025/january/regulatory-responsibility-for-premium-rate-services-will-transfer-to-ofcom-on-1-february-2025 |title=Regulatory responsibility for premium rate services will transfer to Ofcom on 1 February 2025 |date=2025-01-21 |publisher=PSA |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250127000321/https://psauthority.org.uk/news/news/2025/january/regulatory-responsibility-for-premium-rate-services-will-transfer-to-ofcom-on-1-february-2025 |archive-date=2025-01-27 }}</ref> From 1 February 2025, Ofcom regulates these services directly.<ref name="ofcom_fut_prs_reg_statement">{{cite web |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-2-6-weeks/-271626-the-future-regulation-of-phone-paid-services/associated-documents/prs-regulation-statement.pdf?v=383888 |title=Statement: The future regulation of phone-paid services |date=2024-10-25 |publisher=Ofcom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113225859/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-2-6-weeks/-271626-the-future-regulation-of-phone-paid-services/associated-documents/prs-regulation-statement.pdf?v=383888 |archive-date=2024-11-13 }}</ref><ref name="ofcom_psa_transfer">{{cite web |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/mobile-phones/ofcom-takes-on-responsibility-for-regulating-premium-rate-services/ |title=Ofcom takes on responsibility for regulating premium-rate services |date=2025-01-31 |publisher=Ofcom |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250201000016/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/mobile-phones/ofcom-takes-on-responsibility-for-regulating-premium-rate-services/ |archive-date=2025-02-01 }}</ref> A number of key PSA staff had already been embedded within Ofcom for some time in preparation for this move.<ref name="ofcom_psa">{{cite web |url=https://psauthority.org.uk/news/news/2024/october/supporting-the-orderly-transfer-of-regulation |title=Supporting the orderly transfer of regulation |publisher=Phone-paid Services Authority |date=2024-10-31 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241114101010/https://psauthority.org.uk/news/news/2024/october/supporting-the-orderly-transfer-of-regulation |archive-date=2024-11-14 }}</ref>
=== United States ===
Standard, interoperable short codes in the U.S. are five or six digits long,<ref name="uss-csc">{{cite web |url=http://www.usshortcodes.com/csc_press053106.html |title=Common Short Code Administration Announces Open Registration of 6-Digit Codes |publisher=CTIA |work=Press Release |date=2006-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714184421/https://www.usshortcodes.com/csc_press053106.html |archive-date=2006-07-14 }}</ref> never start with 1, and only work in the U.S.<ref name="uss-faq">{{cite web |url=https://usshortcodes.com/faqs |title=Short Code Registry | FAQs |website=usshortcodes.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712193045/https://www.usshortcodes.com/faqs |archive-date=2019-07-12 |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref> They are leased by the short code program's registry service provider [[iconectiv]], under a deal with the [[Common Short Code Administration]]<ref name="justia">{{cite web |url=http://trademarks.justia.com/784/34/csca-common-short-code-78434150.html |title=CSCA COMMON SHORT CODE ADMINISTRATION Trademark of CTIA - THE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION - Registration Number 3081719 - Serial Number 78434150 :: Justia Trademarks |website=trademarks.justia.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210063559/https://trademarks.justia.com/784/34/csca-common-short-code-78434150.html |archive-date=2022-12-10 |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref> and [[Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association|CTIA]].<ref name="wirelessweek"/> It costs twice as much to choose a specific code as it does to get one that is randomly assigned.<ref name="wirelessweek">{{cite web |url=http://www.wirelessweek.com/news/2007/04/decoding-short-codes |title=Decoding Short Codes |work=WirelessWeek |date=2007-04-15 |last=Alleven |first=Monica |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603133944/http://www.wirelessweek.com/news/2007/04/decoding-short-codes |archive-date=2016-06-03 }}</ref> Some carriers assign a subset of their carrier-specific codes to third parties.<ref name="Short1">{{cite web |url=https://www.ctia.org/news/ctia-announced-new-strategic-partner-iconectiv-for-common-short-code-registry-services |title=CTIA Announced New Strategic Partner iconectiv for Common Short Code Registry Services |publisher=[[CTIA – The Wireless Association]] |date=2015-07-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222210355/https://www.ctia.org/news/ctia-announced-new-strategic-partner-iconectiv-for-common-short-code-registry-services |archive-date=2019-12-22 |access-date=2019-12-22 }}</ref>
<blockquote>"The ''Short Code Registry''<ref name="uss-reg">{{cite web |url=https://usshortcodes.com/ |title=Short Code Registry | short code campaigns Customer engagement |website=usshortcodes.com |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref> maintains a single database of available, reserved and registered short codes. CTIA administers the Common Short Code program, and ''iconectiv''<ref name="iconective">{{cite web |url=https://iconectiv.com/ |title=
Texting "HELP" to a short code causes the short code service to return a message with terms and conditions, support information — consisting of either a toll-free phone number or [[email address]] at a minimum — and other information from the leaseholder of the short code.<ref name="twilio-us-ind">{{cite web |url=http://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/223134847 |title=Industry standards for US Short Code Terms of Service and Privacy policies |website=Twilio Support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019115105/https://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/223134847 |archive-date=2021-10-19 |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref><ref name="resolver">{{cite web |url=https://www.resolver.com/legal/short-code-terms-of-service/ |title=Short Code Terms of Service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127174447/https://www.resolver.com/legal/short-code-terms-of-service/ |archive-date=2020-11-27 |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref><!-- Message Industry standards require that a compliant response is required whenever your recipients text the keyword HELP to your short code, regardless of whether the recipient is subscribed to the program. https://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/223182208-Industry-standards-for-U-S-short-code-HELP-and-STOP --> A user can opt-out from receiving any further messages from a short code service by texting "STOP", "END", "QUIT", "CANCEL", or "UNSUBSCRIBE" to the short code; after doing so, one final message confirming the opt-out is sent.<ref name="twilio-223182208">{{cite web |url=http://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/223182208 |title=Industry standards for U.S. short code HELP and STOP |website=Twilio Support |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129185414/https://www.cm.com/en-za/glossary/short-code/ |archive-date=2022-11-29 |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref><ref name="ctia-handbook" />
==See also==
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