Inbound SMS Services: Short Codes vs. Long Numbers

What is an Inbound SMS Service ? Inbound SMS services provide you with a simple, cost-effective way to interact with consumers in the occasion of TV votings and competitions, advertising campaigns and business applications. SMS is a very popular service among consumers and it is a standard channel beyond voice calls and email. Inbound SMS Service is also known as: SMS receiving Incoming SMS SMS-MO (mobile originated)

Inbound SMS services provide you with a simple, cost-effective way to interact with consumers in the occasion of TV votings and competitions, advertising campaigns and business applications.

SMS is a very popular service among consumers and it is a standard channel beyond voice calls and email.

Inbound SMS Service is also known as:

SMS receiving

Incoming SMS

SMS-MO (mobile originated)

Long Numbers vs. Short Codes Long Numbers Short codes can be rented only on a short-term basis, what means for every new campaign new numbers have to setup and paid for. Short Codes International accessibility is the ideal solution for global players who wish to run international campaigns. For long term campaigns or any other assignment, long numbers are also the best solution, as the number can be assigned exclusively for a long term. Non-premium billing is ideal for advertising campaigns, business applications, social networking and public services (healthcare, call centres). Limited to national borders , short codes have to be activated in each country where the campaign will take place, which is expensive and time consuming. Unless the company is profiting from the high charges associated to short codes, the premium prices are a barrier to implement inbound services via messaging. Long numbers are highly scalable in terms of throughput (processed messages), what provides a secure inbound services also in peak times. Short codes have a history of scandals when it comes to not being able to process all messages in a short time frame.

Long Numbers

Long Numbers: pros & cons International reception capability, what is interesting for regional and global campaigns. Works in roaming situations (when a subscriber is travelling, he/she can still send SMS to a long number). Non-premium charges: standard international SMS charge. Long-term rentals. Number can be exclusively assigned to the customer. Pros A long code means that it‘s more difficult to remember the number, especially when it is displayed for just a few seconds (in the case of TV voting, for example). Cons

International reception capability, what is interesting for regional and global campaigns.

Works in roaming situations (when a subscriber is travelling, he/she can still send SMS to a long number).

Non-premium charges: standard international SMS charge.

Long-term rentals.

Number can be exclusively assigned to the customer.

A long code means that it‘s more difficult to remember the number, especially when it is displayed for just a few seconds (in the case of TV voting, for example).

Short Codes: pros & cons Short numbers mean that people can remember the number more easily, what is an advantage when the number is displayed for just a few seconds. High revenue-share / payouts in some cases. Pros Short-term, non-exclusive: the short code is shared among different companies. Limited to national borders. Expensive to setup. Premium charges to consumers. History of scandals. Cons

Short numbers mean that people can remember the number more easily, what is an advantage when the number is displayed for just a few seconds.

High revenue-share / payouts in some cases.

Short-term, non-exclusive: the short code is shared among different companies.

Limited to national borders.

Expensive to setup.

Premium charges to consumers.

History of scandals.

How to select an inbound SMS service? In general there are no strict rules on what is most suitable for your business, whether it is a short code or a long number. Everything depends on the reason for implementing inbound services. If companies use inbound services with the aim of generating revenue, the recommended solution is to use short codes. If however companies like to offer their customers a means of communication or an add-on tool, like micro-blogs (twitter) or social networks (Facebook), the main focus is not on making money, but to enhance communication. In this case, long numbers are recommended.

About TynTec Secure Delivery Guaranteed Delivery 15 sec Real-Time Delivery Receipt End-to-End Control Traceable & Auditable Privacy of Information Strict SLAs TynTec is a mobile messaging operator, offering enterprise-quality SMS services and leading the industry in the provision of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Cutting Edge Platform SS7 Access Full control of a patent pending multi-hub SMS-C Real time data Integrated communications Unique setup with carrier partners, hosting TynTec’s infrastructure 4 entry points in Europe, Americas and China Worldwide coverage in more than 430 networks and 160 countries Benefits

Full control of a patent pending multi-hub SMS-C

Real time data

Integrated communications

Unique setup with carrier partners, hosting TynTec’s infrastructure

4 entry points in Europe, Americas and China

Worldwide coverage in more than 430 networks and 160 countries

For more information, please contact our Sales Team: Tel. (UK): +44 207 436 0283 Tel. (Germany): +49 89 202 451 202 Tel. (Singapore): +65 6827 5611 [email_address] More information: UK Offices: 11 Hope Street Douglas IM1 1AQ Isle of Man 20 Eastcastle Street W1W 8DB London German Offices: Klenzestrasse 57b 80469 Munich Wittekindstrasse 105 44139 Dortmund Singapore Office: NSC Executive Centre Level 28 Gateway East 152 Beach Road Singapore 189721