{"id":42860,"date":"2022-02-25T17:46:14","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T07:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onesaas.local\/blog\/shared-short-code-replaced-with-10dlc\/"},"modified":"2024-03-27T19:51:54","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T19:51:54","slug":"shared-short-code-replaced-with-10dlc","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/messagemedia.com\/nz\/blog\/shared-short-code-replaced-with-10dlc\/","title":{"rendered":"Shared short codes are going away. So how will this affect your business?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know carriers will no longer support shared short codes or renew their leases for business messaging? So if your business is still sending text messages from a shared short code in the United States or in Canada, your sending will become disrupted by end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s where you\u2019ll get to know alternative sending ID options and see which one will best suit your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First up, what\u2019s a shared short code?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An SMS \u2018short code\u2019 is a 5-6 digit sender ID. Unlike a dedicated short code, a \u2018shared short code\u2019 can get used by multiple brands simultaneously. For each business to share the same 5-6 digits, it gets assigned by keywords of your choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For example, ten businesses may share an office building. They can also share a short code by each having a keyword associated with the level of the building they\u2019re on. An SMS keyword may be PIZZA for a pizza business or LOVE for a dating service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are shared short codes going away?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since their inception, shared short code numbers have posed numerous risks and difficulties for carriers and businesses. Unfortunately, they\u2019re easy for SMS scammers to take advantage of, which can ruin the reputation of the companies using them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a single business sends a broadcast that isn\u2019t compliant, carriers may block that short code. This negatively impacts the other businesses sharing the code who are, in fact, following best practice. It also creates a bad customer experience, as their messages won\u2019t get through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carriers also struggle with the vetting process. If anyone can join a shared short code, there\u2019s a lack of visibility and accountability by businesses. When over 1,000 businesses can share one short code, this, unsurprisingly, makes it difficult for carriers to monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reminder: if you are currently using a <\/strong>dedicated<\/em><\/strong> short code, you aren\u2019t affected.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the alternatives?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Businesses who are currently using shared short codes can now choose to move to one of three alternative options in the United States and Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Dedicated short codes<\/strong><\/a> are 5-6 digits long and belong to one business.<\/li>
  2. 10-digit long codes<\/strong><\/a> look like an ordinary cell phone number but can now get used for business messaging (also known as A2P messaging).<\/li>
  3. Toll-free numbers<\/strong><\/a> can be used for both texting and voice calls (if enabled).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Recommended reading:<\/strong> SMS long codes vs. short codes<\/a>

    \nThis article: