SMS short codes and carrier approval

See also

Sources

1. 1
   The registry Acceptable Use Policy prohibits using a short code to facilitate spam or other unlawful unsolicited messages.

   Acceptable Use Policy · Section 11 · Checked 2026-10-14
2. 2
   Acceptable Use Policy violations may lead to suspension or termination of the short code lease or inability to register or renew codes, and the registry and wireless carriers may impose penalties without notice.

   Acceptable Use Policy · Penalties paragraph following section 12 · Checked 2026-10-14
3. 3
   The registry Acceptable Use Policy requires registrants to comply with the most recent CTIA Short Code Monitoring Program Handbook and links to version 1.9.

   Acceptable Use Policy · Section 2 · Checked 2026-10-14
4. 4
   Short code auto-renewal is optional, renews for the same term as the previous lease, and can be opted out of at any time up to five calendar days before expiration.

   Registrant License Agreement · Sections 7.A and 7.B · Checked 2026-10-14
5. 5
   On AWS, US 10DLC send rate is set by the approved 10DLC campaign and shared across all numbers on that campaign, rather than being a fixed per-number figure like the short code limit.

   What are the Message Parts per Second (MPS) limits · Long codes table (United States 10DLC row) · Checked 2026-10-14
6. 6
   AWS says Canada short code requests and registration must be submitted by October 19 2026, and applications not approved for carrier provisioning by October 22 2026 will not begin carrier review until January 2027.

   Requesting dedicated short codes · Carrier provisioning freezes table (Canada row) · Checked 2026-10-14
7. 7
   AWS End User Messaging supports short code requests through the console and APIs for Chile, Finland, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and United States, with other countries by support case.

   Requesting dedicated short codes · Requesting a short code (Countries supported through the console and APIs) · Checked 2026-10-14
8. 8
   AWS short code fees begin as soon as AWS initiates the short code request with carriers and are owed even if the code is not yet fully provisioned.

   Requesting dedicated short codes · Step 1: Open a support case (final paragraphs) · Checked 2026-10-14
9. 9
   AWS End User Messaging SMS supports only standard short codes and does not support Free-to-End-User (FTEU) short codes.

   Requesting dedicated short codes · Important considerations (second bullet) · Checked 2026-10-14
10. 10
    AWS End User Messaging has no Service Level Agreement for the time required to obtain a short code; timing depends on carrier compliance review.

    Requesting dedicated short codes · Step 1: Open a support case (Note on Service Level Agreement) · Checked 2026-10-14
11. 11
    AWS limits a registered US toll-free number to 3 MPS and advises using 10DLC or a short code when throughput needs exceed 3 MPS.

    What are the Message Parts per Second (MPS) limits · Toll-free numbers (Important note) · Checked 2026-10-14
12. 12
    On AWS End User Messaging a US short code sending to US recipients is limited to 100 SMS message parts per second.

    What are the Message Parts per Second (MPS) limits · Short codes table (United States row) · Checked 2026-10-14
13. 13
    After an AWS short code is provisioned, the customer should verify on the Keywords tab that HELP and STOP responses match the values given in the request.

    Requesting dedicated short codes · Step 2: Update your SMS settings (step 4) · Checked 2026-10-14
14. 14
    The Canadian Telecommunications Association is the Short Code Administrator in Canada.

    Apply for a Short Code · Apply for a Short Code (administrator statement) · Checked 2026-10-14
15. 15
    Canadian short code applications submitted by 1:00pm ET Thursday October 22 2026 are provisioned by participating carriers between November 10 and 17 2026; later applications are scheduled for January 2027.

    Apply for a Short Code · Timelines (brownout deadline) · Checked 2026-10-14
16. 16
    A Canadian common short code requires a non-refundable 1500 CAD plus GST/HST deposit covering the first three months, then 350 CAD plus GST/HST per month.

    Apply for a Short Code · Fees · Checked 2026-10-14
17. 17
    A Canadian common short code is assigned an initial 12-month lease with renewals of up to 12 months if the program and account are in good standing.

    Apply for a Short Code · Lease Term · Checked 2026-10-14
18. 18
    Eligible Canadian non-profit and charitable organizations have the short code deposit waived and pay 250 plus GST/HST per month from month one.

    Apply for a Short Code · Fees (non-profit and charity) · Checked 2026-10-14
19. 19
    A Canadian short code application is reviewed with the carrier Short Code Council and needs two or more separately owned carriers to agree to participate before it is approved.

    Apply for a Short Code · Carrier approval / Letter of Approval · Checked 2026-10-14
20. 20
    Canadian short code applications are considered every Tuesday if submitted before 1:00pm ET the preceding Thursday, and standard provisioning generally takes three to six weeks after approval.

    Apply for a Short Code · Timelines · Checked 2026-10-14
21. 21
    Each wireless service provider decides individually whether a short code applicant meets its minimum requirements.

    Frequently Asked Questions · FAQ: How will I know if I'm approved? · Checked 2026-10-14
22. 22
    US short codes are administered by the Common Short Code Administration (CSCA), an LLC governed by CTIA, with technical registry support from CTIA's partner GCH.

    What is a short code? · Administration paragraph · Checked 2026-10-14
23. 23
    Telnyx guidance says a short code call-to-action must show the program name, message frequency, STOP opt-out details, terms and privacy policy, plus a message and data rates notice for non-FTEU programs.

    Short Code Best Practices · CTA Requirements · Checked 2026-10-14
24. 24
    Twilio's changelog states that failing to provide an EIN within 60 days of a US short code renewal could result in short code suspension.

    Upcoming EIN Requirement for US Short Code Campaigns · Changelog entry body (grace window) · Checked 2026-10-14
25. 25
    Twilio's October 2024 changelog states that the EIN requirement applies to all US short code renewals starting January 15 2025.disputed

    Upcoming EIN Requirement for US Short Code Campaigns · Changelog entry body (renewals paragraph) · Checked 2026-10-14
26. 26
    Twilio's US short code guidelines state that from March 31 2025 both new short code campaigns and short code renewals must submit a valid EIN.disputed

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Timeframe / registry requirements note (March 31 2025) · Checked 2026-10-14
27. 27
    Because registry fees are non-refundable and each carrier decides approval independently, a registrant whose campaign is rejected by carriers should expect not to recover the registry lease fee.inferred

    Registrant License Agreement · Section 12 combined with usshortcodes-faqs FAQ: How will I know if I'm approved? · Checked 2026-10-14
28. 28
    All fees and amounts paid to the US Short Code Registry Service Provider are non-refundable, including auto-renewal payments and amounts paid before termination.

    Registrant License Agreement · Sections 7.A 12 and 27.C · Checked 2026-10-14
29. 29
    Telnyx guidance says a short code program must answer the HELP keyword with the program name and customer assistance contact details.

    Short Code Best Practices · HELP/STOP Message Content · Checked 2026-10-14
30. 30
    The entire short code lease payment is due before the code can be activated.

    Frequently Asked Questions · FAQ: How much does it cost to lease a short code? · Checked 2026-10-14
31. 31
    US short codes are leased for a term of three, six or twelve months, renewable for another three, six or twelve months.

    Registrant License Agreement · Section 6.A · Checked 2026-10-14
32. 32
    The registry Monthly Billing Program requires at least five short codes in the account and bills monthly in advance.

    Registrant License Agreement · Sections 9.A and 9.E · Checked 2026-10-14
33. 33
    Telnyx guidance says a short code program should send a single opt-in confirmation containing program name, customer care contact, message frequency, a message and data rates notice (non-FTEU) and STOP instructions.

    Short Code Best Practices · Opt-In Confirmation · Checked 2026-10-14
34. 34
    Telnyx guidance says short code programs must send an opt-out reply naming the program and confirming opt-out when a consumer texts an opt-out keyword such as STOP, END, CANCEL, QUIT or UNSUBSCRIBE.

    Short Code Best Practices · HELP/STOP Message Content · Checked 2026-10-14
35. 35
    A Parked short code has a maximum lease term of six months and an unassigned Parked code reverts to the Short Code Registry after that period.

    Registrant License Agreement · Section 6.A (Parked Codes) · Checked 2026-10-14
36. 36
    Short code lease fees are due immediately and no later than sixty days after the Application.

    Registrant License Agreement · Section 8.A · Checked 2026-10-14
37. 37
    The US Short Code Registry lease rate for a Random short code (assigned by the system) is 500 US dollars per month.

    What is a short code? · Pricing paragraph (Random code) · Checked 2026-10-14
38. 38
    Starting October 15 2024 all new US short code campaigns require additional information in the short code registry under an enhanced vetting process.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Timeframe / registry requirements note (October 15 2024) · Checked 2026-10-14
39. 39
    The registry may deny, cancel, transfer or otherwise make unavailable any short code in its sole discretion and does not guarantee a code beyond the current lease term.

    Registrant License Agreement · Sections 13 and 18 · Checked 2026-10-14
40. 40
    The US Short Code Registry states that after payment the campaign must be approved by wireless service providers and that this provisioning process can take two to four weeks.

    Frequently Asked Questions · FAQ: Can I start using the code right after I pay for it? · Checked 2026-10-14
41. 41
    The Registrant License Agreement provides a 60-day grace period around lease renewal at the discretion of the Registry Service Provider.

    Registrant License Agreement · Section 6.B (Grace Period) · Checked 2026-10-14
42. 42
    Updated Registrant License Agreement terms take effect on the earliest of a new Application, a renewal Application, or thirty calendar days after posting on the registry website.

    Registrant License Agreement · Preamble (Updated Terms) · Checked 2026-10-14
43. 43
    A short code can only message recipients on carriers in the country where it is provisioned, so multi-country programs need a separate short code per country.

    Requesting dedicated short codes · Requesting a short code (first paragraph) · Checked 2026-10-14
44. 44
    The US Short Code Registry lease rate for a Select short code (digits chosen by the registrant) is 1000 US dollars per month.

    What is a short code? · Pricing paragraph (Select code) · Checked 2026-10-14
45. 45
    Bandwidth describes CTIA Severity 0 as noncompliance with law or extreme consumer harm, such as illegal content or not honoring STOP, leading to immediate suspension of the short code until resolved.

    Understanding CTIA Severity Levels for messaging compliance · Severity 0 (Critical) · Checked 2026-10-14
46. 46
    Bandwidth describes CTIA Severity 1 as serious consumer harm short of illegality, such as messaging without valid opt-in, where CTIA notifies wireless providers and each decides whether to suspend, block or allow after correction.

    Understanding CTIA Severity Levels for messaging compliance · Severity 1 (Serious) · Checked 2026-10-14
47. 47
    Bandwidth describes CTIA Severity 2 as moderate consumer harm such as a missing message and data rates disclosure or missing contact information, handled by an audit notice and proof of correction.

    Understanding CTIA Severity Levels for messaging compliance · Severity 2 (Moderate) · Checked 2026-10-14
48. 48
    The registry's two-to-four-week provisioning figure and Twilio's four-to-eight-week carrier review figure likely measure different spans, so end-to-end short code lead time depends on the provider's own review in addition to carrier review.inferred

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Timeframe section compared with usshortcodes-faqs FAQ: Can I start using the code right after I pay for it? · Checked 2026-10-14
49. 49
    A registrant may assign its short code lease to an affiliate it controls only if the account is in good standing and the assignee agrees in writing with notice within five calendar days, and a non-compliant assignment is void.

    Registrant License Agreement · Section 14 · Checked 2026-10-14
50. 50
    Twilio allows age-restricted content, sweepstakes or contests, and direct-lender loan use cases on US short codes but warns they may take longer to provision.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Restrictions (allowed with longer provisioning) · Checked 2026-10-14
51. 51
    Twilio lists debt collection use cases as prohibited on US short codes.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Restrictions (prohibited use cases) · Checked 2026-10-14
52. 52
    Twilio lists gambling-related content as a prohibited use case for US short codes.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Restrictions (prohibited use cases) · Checked 2026-10-14
53. 53
    Twilio states that US short code carrier review takes about four to eight weeks from payment to approval with major carriers, subject to carrier discretion.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Timeframe: Carrier Review · Checked 2026-10-14
54. 54
    Twilio states that a short code specialist contacts the applicant within five days of submitting a US short code application.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Timeframe: Twilio Internal Review · Checked 2026-10-14
55. 55
    A US short code is a five- or six-digit number used to send and receive text messages.

    What is a short code? · What is a short code? (opening definition) · Checked 2026-10-14
56. 56
    Twilio warns that US short code applications submitted from mid-December through early January are delayed by an annual wireless carrier provisioning freeze.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Timeframe (freeze note) · Checked 2026-10-14
57. 57
    US five-digit short codes run from 20000 to 99999 and six-digit short codes from 200000 to 999999.

    What is a short code? · What is a short code? (digit ranges) · Checked 2026-10-14
58. 58
    Twilio states that the short code verification PIN must be used within seven days or the short code may be suspended.

    United States: Short Code Guidelines · Next Steps / verification PIN note · Checked 2026-10-14
59. 59
    Registry vetting of a short code applicant reviews company name, FEIN, corporate registration and legal history.

    Frequently Asked Questions · FAQ: What type of information will be reviewed during the vetting process? · Checked 2026-10-14

Documents

Cite this page

WarmTransfer. (2026, October 14). SMS short codes and carrier approval. WarmTransfer. https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/sms-short-codes

@misc{warmtransfer-sms-short-codes,
  title  = {SMS short codes and carrier approval},
  author = {{WarmTransfer}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/sms-short-codes},
  note   = {Verified 2026-10-14}
}