SMS or Texting Virtual Number Registration Process

A virtual number is a phone number used to send and receive SMS text messages to and from mobile phones. There are different types of virtual numbers, as noted below:

• Registered Toll-Free Number - 10-digit toll-free number in area codes 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833

• 10 Digit Long Code (10 DLC) - a localized number that is sanctioned for business text messaging using a local number

• Short Code - a 5-6 digit number that is sanctioned for business text messaging

Registration Process

The overall process for registering a bi-directional messaging number:

Registration Information Needed

For 10 Digit Long Code, Toll-Free Number, and Short Code:

• Company Information:

  • Company Name

  • Company Mailing Address

  • Primary point-of-contact name, phone number, and email address

  • Tax ID

  • Website Associated with Campaign

  • Support Toll-Free Number and/or Support Email Address

• Messaging Information:

  • Preferred area code if 10 DLC or TFN / preferred short code (if vanity shortcode)

  • Message frequency

  • Methods by which consent will be collected (Web, Keyword, Verbal, etc)

  • Detailed example messages: While carriers do not require that you only send the exact messaging provided in your application, the messaging does need to be detailed enough to be an approximation of the kinds of messages you are planning on sending.

Additional information needed for Short Code only:

• Letter of authorization - Carriers require to be provided and signed by a representative from the brand that will be appearing in your SMS campaign

• SMS campaign Terms of Service & URL - Shortcode programs must have a set of publicly available SMS-specific Terms of Service.  These terms do not need to be live at the time of submission, but a draft does need to be provided, along with the URL where they will be hosted