There are 3 types of virtual mobile numbers offered in the USA for Application to Peer (A2P) messaging solutions. We will outline below all the relevant information you need to know so that you can select the USA Sender ID that is right for you.

• Toll Free Number (TFN)
• 10 Digit Long Code (10DLC)
• Short Code (SC)

Toll Free Number (TFN)

These numbers starting with 1-800 are associated with calling, however you can also text these numbers. Upgrade your current voice only toll free number to include text messaging or lease a dedicated A2P number from us.

eg. 18336590311

Application Process:

Submit online verification: USA/CA Toll Free Number SMS Pre-Verification

Application Time:

6-8 weeks* - occasionally there are some strong applications coming back faster recently, however we cannot promise this. Hopefully these time frame estimates will continue to decrease as carrier backlog is lessened in the future. 

Volume Allowed:

Since November 8th 2023 unverified traffic is no longer allowed and will not be delivered.

During the application process the number is "PENDING" and once the application is reviewed and accepted for review by the carriers, the number will then be allowed to deliver under the following limitations: 2,000 per day/6,000 per week/10,000 per month. There is still moderate carrier filtering during the pending status, so messages are subject to higher carrier scrutiny during this time.

Once verification is APPROVED: Unlimited sending and no explicit throughput limitations. There is also less carrier scrutiny once the application is completed as long as there are no SPAM complaints from recipients about the number or excessive opt outs.

Content Considerations:

You need to stick to the script of the message templates you submitted on your registration as closely as possible. If the script, message or use-case changes drastically from what you applied for on your TFN registration, then the messages are likely to start being blocked by carriers, and potentially get the number blocked altogether. Also, public short link services (bit.ly, tiny.url, etc) are not allowed.

10 Digit Long Code (10DLC)

These numbers can help your marketing team customize their SMS campaigns for each region they target. You can choose to start your number with an area code in California, New York, Texas, Florida, or from any other state in the USA.

eg. 18472546657 Local area code first (first 3 digits after 1) can be chosen pending availability.

Message Throughput:

Message sending throughput is determined based on your Trust Score and your Campaign Type use case. 
Your Trust Score, combined with your use case and your traffic volumes, helps carriers determine throughput per second (TPS) and daily messaging cap for your 10DLC campaigns. A higher score could lead to a higher TPS

Application Process:

Please contact Sales 

Application Time:

1-3 weeks* (see below for additional timeframe ID choosing enhanced vetting)

Normal application 1-2 weeks* (You are provided with a "trust score" of 1-100)

Optional vetting: if you want to potentially increase trust score (usually 1-2 extra days*)

Enhanced vetting: 4-8 weeks *additional after initial application is approved if you want to attempt to further increase your vetting score)

Volume allowed:

Depends on the vetting by the carriers. AT&T has a per minute limit, and T-mobile has a per day limit. Verizon has no real volume limitations. As long as you're approved by AT&T/T-Mobile, they will accept all volume traffic. Thresholds can range from 240 per minute / 2,000 per day on the lower tiers, and up to 4,500 per minute / 20,000 per day on the highest Trust Scores.

Vast majority of first Trust Scores given will be the lowest tier - usually vetting / enhanced vetting won't increase more than 1 or 2 tiers above the original application's Trust Score when completed. Don't expect to jump from lowest tier to highest just because you did vetting.

Content considerations:

You need to stick to the script of the message templates you submit on your application as closely as possible. If the script or message, or use-case changes drastically from what you applied for on your 10DLC application, then the messages are likely to start being blocked by carriers, and will potentially lead to the number getting blocked altogether. Public short link services such as bit.ly, tiny.url, etc are not allowed.

Short Code (SC)

A short code is a 5 - 6 digit number. You will often see these numbers associated with large scale marketing campaigns, enterprise companies, competitions or to raise awareness. Short codes are expensive, however allows your business to send at faster speeds and without a daily limit.

eg. 70311

Application Process:

Please contact Sales 

Application Time:

3-4 weeks * after compliance review when submitted to the carriers. For the major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), and then the smaller carriers might take up to 10 weeks to come online. But you can begin sending once major carriers have approved, just smaller percentage of messages may bounce if the recipient is with one of the smaller low market-share carriers. It’s preferred not to start sending until all carriers have finished approving the application, but as the smaller carriers often take a much longer time, some customers prefer to start sending as soon as the short code comes online when AT&T/Verizon/T-Mobile are available.

Volume Allowed:

Unlimited sending, no throughput limitations. As long as you’re sending similar use-case/content that was approved, there should be no blocking or filtering, unless the carriers start receiving excessive SPAM complaints from recipients, or excessive opt-outs, then they will begin to audit the content being sent.

Content Considerations:

Recommended to stick as closely as possible to the template scripts that were approved on your SC application. If carriers receive SPAM complaints from recipients, then your message content will likely fall under scrutiny by carriers.

Public short-link (bit.ly, tiny.url, etc) services are allowed on short codes, but it is still recommended to use direct link instead when possible to avoid potential scrutiny by carriers.