Apply for a Short Code

Click a link below to find more information regarding the application process. Applications will not be accepted unless they are completely and thoroughly filled out.

 

• Canadian Common Short Code Compliance Policies
• Application Form (.pdf)
• Pre-launch Testing Process
• Pre-launch Testing Form
• Credit Card Deposit Payment Form

Application Deadlines

Program Changes

Please note, that once the application has been approved, this will be the scope of the Program that will be developed for the particular Short Code requested. If for any reason, the scope of the Program does change once approval has been granted, the applicant must submit a revised application, clearly outlining the changes to the original program.

 

Important Notes

• • Short Codes with a leading digit ‘4’ are not permitted.
  • The maximum length of a text message is 320 characters.
  • Programs that require, explicitly or implicitly, a guarantee that a text message will be delivered may not be supported.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Common Short Codes?

Common Short Codes are 5- or 6-digit numbers, that are activated across multiple mobile networks, that can support high-volumes of text messages.

2. Who uses Common Short Codes?

Common Short Codes are best suited for medium to large sized businesses and organizations, who are looking to send high volumes of text messages to its users, customers, or subscribers. Common Short Codes have high reliability and may also support 2-way messaging and MMS.

3. Do Common Short Codes work on all mobile phone carriers?

Common Short Codes are generally supported on all major carrier networks. While the vast majority of carriers are able to support Short Codes, each carrier retains the right to not participate in a particular program.

Common Short Codes are currently supported by:

BCE Inc. (Bell Mobility, Bell MTS, PC Mobile, Virgin Plus, Lucky Mobile), Eastlink, Execulink, Fibernetics, Iristel (ICE Wireless), Freedom Mobile, Rogers (Chatr, Fido), SaskTel, SSi Canada, Tbaytel, TELUS (Koodo, Public Mobile), Vidéotron (Fizz), and Wightman Telecom.

4. How much does it cost consumers to send a text message to a Common Short Code?

In most cases, if a mobile phone user has an unlimited text messaging plan as part of their mobile phone package, there is no additional cost to send or receive a text message to or from a Common Short Code. If a mobile phone user does not have a text messaging plan, they could be charged the standard cost of a text message. This fee will vary carrier-to-carrier but will generally range between $0.10 and $0.20.The Content Provider of the Short Code must inform customers of cost to send a text message to the Short Code in question in promotional materials.

5. How do I obtain a Common Short Code?

The Canadian Telecommunications Association has been assigned the role of Short Code Administrator in Canada, to make Common Short Codes available on behalf of the carriers, maintain a current inventory of codes in-use and codes available, and to be the principal point of contact to parties interested in leasing a Common Short Code. For more information on the Common Short Code application process, please call 613-233-4888 and ask to speak with a member of the Common Short Code team or send an email to [email protected].

6. What are the requirements to obtain a Common Short Code?

• Firstly, a connection to the carrier networks is required, which is provided by an “Aggregator”. The Aggregator or Application Service Provider that any given business or organization chooses to work with will need to have connections to the carrier networks either directly or indirectly through a partner. For a list of Messaging Providers with experience in the Canadian Common Short Code space, please click here.
• A detailed application form including all relevant information regarding the program must be provided, including method of opt-ins that will be used, message frequency, and sample messages. Common Short Code application approval is not guaranteed and carriers retain the right to refrain from participating in any particular program.
• Two or more competing/separately owned carriers must agree to participate in the Common Short Code program.
• A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 + GST/HST is required at the time of application. This deposit will cover the first three months of the lease.
• All Common Short Codes must adhere to the industry’s rules outlined in the Canadian Common Short Code Compliance Policies.

7. How does the Common Short Code approval process work?

Applications that meet the criteria established in the Canadian Common Short Code Compliance Policies are then reviewed with the Short Code Council (comprised of the wireless carriers) for their approval.

The carriers independently indicate to the Canadian Telecommunications Association whether they wish to participate in the program. Two or more separately owned carriers must agree to participate in the program in order for it to be approved.

Applicants will be formally notified of approval and carrier participation via a Letter of Approval sent by email to the Applicant contact on file, with the Aggregator copied, along with all other parties involved with establishing connectivity to the carrier networks.

The Common Short Code will be automatically assigned an initial 12-month lease, with an opportunity to renew thereafter.

8. What are the standard lead times for the launching of new Common Short Codes?

Common Short Codes need to be activated, or “provisioned”, by the participating carriers. All carriers have slightly different lead times, but generally, a Common Short Code will be provisioned across all participating carrier networks in 3-6 weeks, from the time the application is approved.

9. Are there any testing requirements before launching a Common Short Code?

Yes. Aggregators are responsible for submitting the Pre-Launch Testing document (found here) to the Canadian Telecommunications Association no later than 10 business days prior to when a Common Short Code is ready for commercial launch. In some cases, the date for commercial launch may occur after the provisioning date stated in the Letter of Approval. The Common Short Code may only be tested once the code has been provisioned on the carrier networks.

The Canadian Telecommunications Association will notify the Aggregator of any compliance issues noted when testing the Common Short Code, and all non-compliances must be corrected prior to commercial launch.

Should the Common Short Code not be compliant prior to the commercial launch date, the Canadian Telecommunications Association may notify the Short Code Council and the Aggregator will be advised to delay commercial launch. Content Providers are encouraged to submit the Pre-Launch Testing document well in advance of the deadline of 10 business days prior to commercial launch. This will ensure that there is sufficient time to complete testing, and allow Content Providers to make any corrections to the calls-to-action so as not to delay commercial launch.

10. How much do Common Short Codes cost?

The Canadian Telecommunications Association charges a non-refundable deposit of $1,500 + GST/HST, which covers the first 3 months of the Common Short Code lease. Following the deposit period, monthly fees will be $350 + GST/HST per month. The fees apply as of the assigned date that the Common Short Code is to be activated on the carrier networks.

For non-profit and charitable organizations, a discounted rate is available, where the $1,500 deposit is waived and monthly billing is reduced to $250 GST/HST per month, with monthly billing beginning on month 1 of the lease. The fees apply as of the assigned date that the Common Short Code is to be activated on the carrier networks.

In order to qualify for this discounted lease fee, the following criteria must be met:

1. The NPO or Registered Charity must be listed as the Accounts Payable Company in the Common Short Code application form (Section 1.2).
2. The Common Short Code program may only be tied to a single brand and cannot be used as a Shared Common Short Code program.
3. For Canadian organizations, the Business Number or CRA Registration Number must be disclosed in the application form. This information will be validated by the Canadian Telecommunications Association.
4. For U.S. organizations, the Employer Identification Number (EIN) must be disclosed in the application form. This information will be validated by the Canadian Telecommunications Association.

Should the required information not be provided at the time of application, regular lease fees will apply.

Aggregators, Application Service Providers or Messaging Providers, and carriers may also have separate fees. For information concerning non-Canadian Telecommunications Association fees, contact your Aggregator.

11. What Common Short Codes are available?

Five and 6-digit Common Short Codes are used as part of this inter-carrier initiative. In some cases, 3-digit Common Short Codes may be made available for lease.

Please note that Short Codes beginning with a “4” and a “0” are not available as part of this initiative. The Canadian Telecommunications Association maintains the registry of available codes as follows:

5 DIGITS
10000 – 39999	Common Short Codes
40000 – 49999	Private Short Codes (internal use by carriers)
50000 – 99999	Common Short Codes
6 DIGITS
100000 – 399999	Common Short Codes
400000 – 499999	Private Short Codes (internal use by carriers)
500000 – 999999	Common Short Codes

12. If I lease a Common Short Code, are there rules I must follow?

Yes. In addition to providing information about the program in an application form, you must follow the industry’s Canadian Common Short Code Compliance Policies. It is also important to note that Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) must be followed and adhered to at all times. The Canadian Telecommunications Association is not responsible for ensuring CASL compliance.

13. How do I cancel my Common Short Code?

A Common Short Code lease may be cancelled at any time by sending an email to [email protected]. The request to cancel must come from the brand associated with the Common Short Code.

14. How long can a text message be?

The maximum length of a text message, including spaces, is 320 characters, unless otherwise specified or approved.

Mandatory support keywords (i.e. HELP, AIDE, INFO, STOP, and ARRET) must remain within 160 characters due to their administrative nature, unless otherwise specified or approved.

15. How long do I have the Common Short Code?

The Common Short Code will be assigned for a one-year lease. Prior to the expiration of the lease, and assuming the Common Short Code program and account are in good standing (from both a compliance and a billing perspective), the Canadian Telecommunications Association will offer the Applicant the opportunity to renew the lease for a maximum of 12 months.

Lease renewal notifications are sent via email to the Applicant company on file, with the Aggregator copied.

16. Can I migrate or change Aggregators for my Common Short Code, post-launch?

Yes. In order to migrate to a new Aggregator or Application Service provider, approval is required. To request a migration, a letter from the party requesting the migration must be submitted on company letterhead, and must indicate the Aggregator being migrated from and the new Aggregator being migrated to. Any specific migration dates should also be included.

Along with the migration letter, and updated Common Short Code application form must be submitted to the Canadian Telecommunications Association.

Timelines for Aggregator migrations vary, but generally follow the same timeline as newly provisioned Common Short Codes.

17. Can I revise or amend my previously approved Common Short Code program?

Yes. Changes to an approved Common Short Code application may be requested at any time by submitting a revised application form to [email protected] that includes the requested changes. In instances where the Content Provider submits the application, they must ensure that their Aggregator has reviewed the application and is copied on the submission.

The application form must be complete and reflect any new Compliance Policy requirements that have been implemented since the program was last approved. In some cases, a new deposit may be required for revised applications, when the scope of the program is changing entirely.

Before any changes can be made to a Common Short Code program, they must be approved by the Short Code Council. Once approved, a revised Letter of Approval will be sent via email to the Applicant contact, with the Aggregator copied.

Please note that some revisions, for example a change in price point or Aggregator, may require a new provisioning date which can take 3-6 weeks from the time the revised application is approved.

Billing information updates can be sent directly to the Canadian Telecommunications Association, without an application.

18. How do I get a list of available Common Short Codes?

You may check the availability of any Common Short Code online: https://www.txt.ca/en/shortcode-search/.

For any Common Short Code related questions, please contact the Canadian Telecommunications Association Short Code team at 613-233-4888 or email [email protected].