The Common Short Code Administration (CSCA) is an organization that regulates and monitors the distribution of short codes across various carriers in the U.S. By overseeing their use, the CSCA makes sure that short codes are a reliable and effective medium of communication and information exchange.
Many brands rely on short codes to promote their products and services to their target audience via SMS and MMS campaigns and flows. Short codes help businesses advertise their offers and gather valuable customer data for future marketing initiatives.
Why is the CSCA important?
The CSCA is responsible for allocating and managing short codes, which simplify the process of sending and receiving information through SMS or MMS messaging.
Another important aspect of the CSCA is establishing a standardized framework that makes sure short codes work reliably and securely across all carriers, providing a consistent, unified experience for all users.
The CSCA oversees compliance with established regulatory frameworks. Working with the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association and individual wireless carriers, CSCA makes sure all companies and organizations adhere to ethical guidelines and industry standards.
Who can benefit from applying for a short code?
Using short codes offers many advantages if you:
- Need a professional, easy-to-remember number
- Want to minimize filtering from wireless carriers
- Frequently send high volumes of SMS and MMS messages (to 30,000+ subscribers)
- Plan to send large volumes of MMS messages in the U.S.
- Decide to send messages to target audiences in New Zealand
Why is there a short code application process?
The primary purpose of the short code application process is to inform wireless carriers about how your ecommerce or brand plans to use a short code. Once wireless carriers approve your short code, they will be less likely to filter messages from your numbers.
Crucial considerations about short code compliance
Wireless carriers enforce strict requirements on using short codes for messages.
3 levels of messaging compliance are:
- Compliance with the law, e.g., country, state, or local laws
- Compliance with industry guidelines
- Carrier guidelines
Carriers often don’t publish their guidelines publicly, and the only way to obtain them is through direct communication during the application process. These guidelines are also subject to frequent changes. Modifications to your short code application may be necessary at any time to maintain carrier compliance.
Short code application checklist
Before you apply for a short code, make sure that you’re compliant with the application guidelines.
Here are the recommendations to follow:
- Review prohibited content and spam mitigation policies.
- Pick your top 3 vanity short codes (if applicable)
- Share company and contact information.
- Determine SMS program service type(s).
- Ensure your abandoned cart and sweepstakes programs are compliant (U.S. only).
- Create 3 example SMS messages.
- Describe how customers can opt in and out.
- Have SMS sign-up form example(s) ready.
- Check your disclosure language.
- Estimate your monthly message volume.
- Audit your terms of service (TOS) and privacy policy.
- Submit a letter of authorization.
- Recommended: include any subscribe keywords you want to use.
- If migrating, also called porting, provide your short code lease.
Can you use the same short code for more than one country?
No, you can’t. Short codes are only valid for a specific country. If you plan to use short codes in multiple countries, you must go through a separate approval process and get a separate short code for each country.
You can still use the same short code number in every country, depending on whether that number is available. For example, if the number “12345” is available in the U.S. and the UK, you can get two separate short codes for these countries that share the same short code number.
Short code approval period
The following table outlines the typical carrier approval times by country.
| United States | Canada | United Kingdom | New Zealand | |
| New short code | 8–12 weeks | 12–16 weeks | 10–12 weeks | 5–6 weeks |
| Migrating (porting) existing short code | 4–6 weeks | 4–6 weeks | 4–6 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
An efficient marketing automation platform like Klaviyo helps you apply for a short code and use it in your SMS and MMS messages.
Sign up to Klaviyo and boost the effectiveness of your SMS and MMS marketing campaigns and flows by using the power of short codes in your SMS marketing strategy.