Short code: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:00, 6 December 2024

Revision as of 10:55, 6 December 2024

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=== United Kingdom ===

Codes are usually five, six or seven digits in length, mostly starting with 6, 7 or 8. The range of codes may be expanded in time to use other leading digits such as 4. SMS short codesShortcodes are often owned by holding companies<ref>{{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}}</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. Premium SMS services use codes that can be set to deliver a charge to a participant's mobile phone (in accordance with the service provider's terms of service). Other codes (typically used by advertisers) can be free to receive (one "standard rate text message charge", applies when sending a message to the number), or free to send and receive. UK Premium rated SMS services are regulated by the [[Phone-paid Services Authority]]. All charges and associated terms linked to a premium code should be transparent to the consumer. To stop a subscription based shortcode service text the word 'STOP' to the shortcode number.

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 |access-date=2011-10-17}}</ref> Codes starting with 72 are used by Society Lotteries.<ref name="sc" /> Adult related mobile services must use codes starting with 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. ShortcodesMessages can also be used to deliver additional content, or a mobile URL link that when prompted opens the mobileusers web browser linking the user toat a mobilespecific web page.

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.

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. 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'' 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''. These are regulated by the [[Phone-paid Services Authority]].

=== United States ===