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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/ |website=cm.com |language=en-ZA |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=2023-03-08 }}</ref> Short codes are unique to each operator at the technological level. Even so, providers generally have agreements to avoid overlaps. In some countries, such as the United States, some classes of numbers are inter-operator (used by multiple providers or carriers). U.S. inter-operator numbers are called '''common short codes''').<ref name="youra">{{cite web |url=http://www.youra.com/stats/mobileuse.pdf |title=Common Short Codes: Cracking The Mobile Marketing Code |last=Neufeld |first=Evan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114064327/http://www.youra.com/stats/mobileuse.pdf |archive-date=2014-01-14 |access-date=2022-12-27 }}</ref>
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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=== 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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=== 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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930121357/http://portal.ntc.gov.ph/wps/portal |archive-date=2011-09-30 |access-date=2011-10-17 }}</ref> Although the NTC is ultimately responsible for the governance of premium and non-premium shortcodes in the Philippines, the NTC's regulatory guidelines are not comprehensive when applied to shortcodes. Instead NTC's guidelines focus more on the carriers and the carrier's technical infrastructure. NTC's website does not contain any specific information with regard to premium SMS or standard rate SMS. There is relevant documentation for Bulk SMS and SPAM control via NTC's "AMENDMENT TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ON BROADCAST MESSAGING SERVICES", however again is not directly related to premium SMS.
=== 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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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>
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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=iconectiv |website=iconectiv.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525055120/https://iconectiv.com/ |archive-date=2016-05-25 |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref> became the official U.S. Short Code Registry service provider in January, 2016. For more information, please see the ''Short Code Registry’s Best Practices''<ref name="uss">{{cite web |url=https://usshortcodes.com/about/BestPractices |title=Short Code Registry | Best Practices short codes marketing campaign |website=usshortcodes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712184729/https://www.usshortcodes.com/about/BestPractices |archive-date=2019-07-12 |access-date=2020-06-02 }}</ref> and the ''Short Code Monitoring Handbook''."<ref name="ctia-handbook">{{cite web |title=RISQ Score |url=https://www.wmcglobal.com/storage/us_resources/ctia-short-code-monitoring-handbook-current-Short-Code-Monitoring-Handbook-v1.7.pdf
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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