## Phone number types for SMS

In the US and Canada, there are different types of phone numbers used for messaging:
* [Long codes (A2P 10DLC)](#)
* [Short codes](#)
* [Toll-Free numbers](#)

:::note
* All three types of numbers must be registered with US telecom operators after you purchase the phone number.
* All three numbers will support two-way communication.
:::

### Long codes (A2P 10DLC)

A 10-digit long code [10DLC](https://www.infobip.com/docs/10dlc) is a standard 10-digit phone number used for business messaging in the United States. It was developed as a solution for businesses that were using person-to-person (P2P) numbers for application-to-person (A2P) messaging.

* **Buy a number**: Businesses can purchase numbers through Infobip or via the API. For more information, click [here](https://www.infobip.com/docs/numbers).
* **Registration process**: To use A2P 10DLC, businesses must [register](https://www.infobip.com/docs/10dlc/10dlc-registration) their brand and campaign information with Infobip. This ensures that the brand and campaign are recognized by mobile network operators and the Campaign Registry (TCR).
* **Usage**: Once registered, businesses can send and receive SMS and MMS messages to any country using Infobip, by following the [SMS guidelines](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/sms-coverage-and-connectivity).
* **Message throughput**: The message throughput of A2P 10DLC in the US depends on your brand type, campaign type (use case), and [Trust Score](https://www.infobip.com/blog/sms-long-code-brand-status-guide#more-on-10dlc-throughput-0) (for standard brands).
* **Benefits**: A2P 10DLC is best suited for customer service and non-marketing messages.

### Short Codes

[Short codes](https://www.infobip.com/glossary/short-code) are 5 to 6-digit numbers used for addressing messages in both Multimedia Messaging System (MMS) and Short Message Service (SMS) from mobile phones.

:::note
To buy a long code number, contact [support](mailto:[e-mail]).
:::

* **Registration process**: To utilize short codes, businesses must complete a short code application, providing their company address and website. This process ensures no carrier filtering, as long as you adhere to the use case submitted in your short code application.
* **Usage**: Once your number is registered, businesses can send only SMS messages within their own country.
* **Message throughput**: By default, you can send 100 SMS messages per second. However, this limit can be increased for an additional fee.
* **Benefits**: Short codes are best suited for marketing campaigns for transactional interactions and two-factor authentication (2FA).

### Toll-free Numbers

Toll-Free numbers are 10-digit numbers (+1 8NN XXX-XXXX where NN is two repeated digits (for example, +1 833)). These numbers are free for the caller, and the cost of the call is paid for by the business or organization that owns the Toll-Free number. They are commonly used for customer service and support interactions.

:::note
To buy a short code number, contact [support](mailto:[e-mail]).
:::

* **Registration process**: To use Toll-Free numbers, businesses must first [verify](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/tfn-verification) their number. The verification process reduces the risk of carrier filtering.
* **Registration requirements**: For registration, it does not require a tax ID or business license.
* **Usage**: Once a phone number is verified, businesses can start sending Toll-Free SMS messages from that number by following the [SMS guidelines](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/sms-coverage-and-connectivity).
* **Message throughput**: By default, you can send up to 3 MPS (message segments per second). But the throughput can be increased based on your requirements.
* **Benefits**: Toll-Free numbers are best suited for Application-to-Person (A2P), such as marketing campaigns, reminders, and notifications.

## FAQs

1. What is the difference between Short codes and Long code numbers?

Long-code | Short code
------------|------------------
Consists of up to 15 digits | Typically of 5 or 6 digits
Includes country code followed by area number and phone number | Does not include a country code
Used for Person-to-person (P2P) and application-to-person (A2P) messaging | Used for high-volume A2P messaging and service subscriptions
Functions like a regular phone number | Easy to remember and use for quick communication
Example: [phone], [phone] | Example: 12345, 67890

2. What is difference between Short code and Toll-free numbers?

Short code | Toll-Free number
-----------|-----------------
Consists of 5 or 6 digits | Consists of 10-digit numbers.
Used for marketing campaigns, alerts, promotions | Used Customer support, inquiries, service lines
Highly scalable for sending bulk messages | Suitable for handling large call volumes

3. What is the difference between long-code, short code and Toll-free numbers?

Feature | Long-code | Short code | Toll-Free
-------|----------|--------|---------|
Digits | Consist of 10 digits | Consist of 5-6 digits | consists of 10 digits, often starting with 800, 888.
Country code | Includes country code | Does not include a country code | Does not include a country code
Cost | Standard messaging rates | Free for customers | Free for customers
Purpose | P2P (Person-to-Person) and A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging | High-volume A2P messaging, service subscriptions | SMS for customer service, support
Message type | SMS and MMS | Primarily for SMS | Supports both voice and SMS
Use cases | Customer service, appointment reminders, campaign management | Marketing campaigns, alerts, promotions | Customer support, inquiries, service lines
International access | Often restricted to the country of origin | Usually limited to the country of origin | Often accessible internationally
Message throughput | Lower throughput | Higher throughput | Moderate throughput for calls and SMS
Usage | Supports US and Canada | Supports only US | Supports US and Canada

4. What are the benefits of short code?

Businesses prefer using short codes for customer communication due to their key benefits:
* **Scalability**: Short codes allow for faster message delivery, especially for large volumes. For example, sending alerts to 50,000 subscribers is about 50 times quicker with a short code.
* **Ease of use**: Short codes are easier to remember and use in marketing materials compared to long phone numbers.
* **Recognizability**: Messages from short codes are instantly recognizable as business communications, enhancing brand identity.

5. What are the benefits of long-code?

Following are the benefits of long-codes:
* They support SMS and MMS making them suitable for a wide range of business applications, including customer service, appointment reminders, and campaign management.
* Long-code reduces costs as the messages and calls are routed via the internet rather than traditional telephone infrastructure, eliminating the need for additional hardware and maintenance.

6. What are the benefits of toll-free numbers?

Following are the benefits of toll-free numbers:
* Toll-free numbers allow customers to call your business without incurring any charges.
* Toll-free numbers are accessible from anywhere in the country, and often internationally, making it easier for customers from different regions to contact your business.