My Affiliation

Get custom programming done at GetAFreelancer.com!

Friday, August 1, 2008

How to Obtain Premium SMS Common Short Codes (CSC)

One of the most important elements in premium SMS is its Common Short Code or CSC for short. You may ask what is a common short code or short code as it is commonly called.

Well, common short code by tradition is a 4-6 digits number combination assigned to you to be utilized for your own mobile operation. The usual length of it is 4-6 digits but it is subjective in every country. Premium SMS or short codes for the United States were set to be 5-6 numerals or digits in length but again it depends on the network operator or networks for it is possible to have a network of operators, in other words, more that one network operator operating as one bound together by an agreement which is binding to all the parties involved.

Not all short codes are readily assigned by your network operator for you but you can also choose from an array of available or vacant numbers. One short code could be utilized by up to 7 or eight price points although there were some limitations imposed by some carriers on what services can be combined only within the same short code.

Common short code format depends on a certain country. Short codes in the United States are typically 5 or 6 numerals long which range from 20000 up to 99999 on its 5 digit format and from 222222 up to 999999 on the 6 digits, a wide array of number sequence can be made out of this.

The importance of short codes can be summarized in two. 1st, a short code is the number paired to your application, thru this, the destination of the messages that any end users send is surely directed to your number because the short code basically that is paired to your application is the target number of the message that end users send, and 2nd these short codes are connected to the carrier’s invoice systems having a premium SMS rate or fee. If a message sent to end user originates from your own application’s short code, it will activate the premium billing. Moreover, short codes are much easier for clients to keep in mind.

These short codes can be acquired thru your network or service provider. It can be accomplished by filling out the order form that is required by almost all service providers. The form to be filled out is for premium SMS approval purposes in addition to the involved short code charter or lease fees.

Short code leasing can range from 3, 6, or 12 month periods. Arbitrary or random short codes can cost up to $500 monthly depending on the service provider and vanity CSC could reach up to $1,000 monthly. Lease disbursement needs to be outright for the entire lease period.

After the your premium SMS short code has been permitted and remunerated, no other client could use that except you but it does not necessarily mean of an outright approval of the campaign coupled to your own short code. You will need a separate carrier approval for each and every campaign that is linked to your short code. The executive requirements, together with the processing of approval will be handled by your premium SMS service provider.