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What is the difference between Short Codes, Free-to-End-User Codes, Long Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers?
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Short Code (SC) | Free-to-end User (FTEU) | Long Number (LN) | Toll-Free Number (TFN) |
| Application | Online application; work with your short code manager for code approval | Online application; work with your short code manager for code approval | Complete online application process | Form application; work with your short code manager |
| Two-way messaging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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| Throughput | Very High | Very High | Low - Medium (Dependent on trust score) | High |
| Digits | 5-6 digits | 5-6 digits | 10 digits | 10 digits |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Provisioning time** | 8-12 weeks | 8-12 weeks | Same day | 10-15 days |
| Types | Random SC: Each customer gets its own unique number (randomly allocated) Vanity SC: Business selects sequence of numbers to spell out a word that resonates with the brand | Random SC: Each customer gets its own unique number (randomly allocated) Vanity SC: Business selects sequence of numbers to spell out a word that resonates with the brand | Business can choose a suitable area code for US or Canada | User can bring in own TFN number or buy a new number from Clickatell |
| Most popular use-cases | High-volume, one-time passwords, fraud alerts, notifications, marketing. and reminders | Fraud alerts, important and urgent notices for medical-related appointments, and reminders | Chat (text and voice), event-based interactions, service updates, appointment reminders | Customer service and sales chat applications |
| Example businesses for reference | * Hosting a Text-to-Win Sweepstakes *Poll customers using Text-to-Vote surveys | * Fraud alerts for financial transactions *Health care appointment and exam confirmations and reminders, wellness checkups, hospital pre-registration instructions, pre-operative instructions, lab results, post-discharge follow-up intended to prevent readmission, prescription notifications, and home healthcare instructions. | *Provide SMS Customer service *Set up texting network for internal staff | *Business with an existing toll-free number can text-enable the toll-free number |
* Subject to a list of criteria from the FCC
** Subject to verification periods and/or availability of numbers
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