Voice Short Codes

Overview

Five digit SMS Short Codes have been a huge marketing success in recent years thanks to their memorability and convenience. UK mobile operators have now introduced a wholesale, cross network offering for Voice Short Codes, which can be used to complement existing SMS and MMS Short Codes.

This means five digit Voice Short Codes can be matched to existing SMS or MMS Short Codes, creating an effective, integrated marketing vehicle combining voice and data components for any campaign or application.

Customers pay for Voice Short Code calls in the same way as normal calls; either on their mobile phone bill or from pre-paid credit, with call revenue shared between mobile network operators and the content provider.

A single five-digit Short Code can be branded as a complete means of mobile interaction through SMS, MMS, Video and Voice.

Benefits of Voice Short Codes

There are several key benefits of Voice Short Codes to content providers, their subscribers and mobile network operators alike.

• All mobile users can call Voice Short Codes

Traditional '090' premium rate numbers cannot usually be called from mobile phones; they are often barred by the mobile networks by default. Even if this bar is lifted, end users may still be restricted in making calls to premium rate numbers above a certain tariff.

All mobile phone users can, however, make calls to Voice Short Codes. These allow users to call voice services that they may not otherwise be able to access if the service was operated via a premium rate number.

• 5-digit memorable numbers

End users only have to call a 5-digit number, which is much more memorable than a standard phone number or premium rate number. Users are more likely to remember the short code and therefore re-use the service.

• Clear and consistent pricing

Voice Short Code call charges are transparent. The amount paid by the end user is always the same as the tariff rate advertised, with none of the "costs from a mobile may vary" ambiguity associated with calls to a long Premium Rate Number.

• Service availability

Voice Short Codes can be accessed by end users on the six major UK Mobile Networks, while the same 5-digit Short Code can be used for video, MMS and SMS services.

Further details on our Reverse Billing SMS Service and MMS Gateway can be found within this site.

MX Telecom application integration

Voice Short Codes can also be fully integrated with our applications, including:

• IVR Platform - create customised call flows and upload recorded content quickly and simply using the IVR Menu Builder tool.

• Voice Chat System - enable callers to create recorded profiles and chat live with other callers.

You can use either our IVR platform or your existing platform to accommodate Voice Short Code services.

If calls are re-routed, service providers need to supply MX Telecom with a geographic DDI (Direct-Dialling-In) number per network. MX Telecom also passes on the CLI (Calling Line Identification) where available.

Issues with Voice Short Codes

• Voice Short Codes can only be dialled from a mobile phone and not from a landline, although this may change in the future.

• There are some Voice Short Code numbers that cannot be set up by particular networks. These are listed in full in the following table:

Mobile Operator	Unavailable Voice Short Codes
Vodafone	81XXX
Orange	8000X
	7XXXX
O2	616XX
	65XXX
	66XXX
	67XXX
	682XX
	688XX
	7XXXX
	800XX
	808XX
	812XX
	817XX
	896XX
	897XX
	898XX
	899XX
T-Mobile	80XXX
	8294X
	879XX

Account setup

A Voice Short Code can normally be provisioned in 4-6 weeks on all main UK networks, but please contact us if your requirement is particularly urgent.

Sign up

To order a MX Telecom Voice Short Code, please contact sales@mxtelecom.com or call 0845 666 7778 (+44 845 666 7778).

About MX Telecom MX Telecom is a leader in wireless technology. MX Telecom offers an easily accessible gateway to data, voice and video messaging services including 2-way and premium SMS, multimedia messaging, interactive voice response, location-based services, video short codes, Internet and TV related solutions. For more information, MX Telecom can be reached on 0845 666 7778, or via email at sales@mxtelecom.com.