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Number types

Depending on the country you are buying a number for, we may offer more than one type of number that you can choose from. Each type has benefits and restrictions.

Some numbers can only be used for a single purpose, such as sending and receiving SMS messages, but others can be used for multiple purposes. Make sure that you know exactly how you want to use your number before you purchase one.

Mobile numbers

Generally speaking, these numbers feature the same services as being connected to mobile phone or cellular networks. In markets where mobile numbers are available, they are often the only type of number that can be used for multiple purposes, such as making voice calls, sending, and receiving messages. Mobile numbers are not available in every market, however, new destinations are being continually added.

Mobile numbers are best used for:

  • Conversational messaging

  • Multiple services under a single number

  • Advanced services such as Number Masking

Local numbers

Local numbers are numbers that start with a particular area code that has been assigned to a specific region, such as a city or a state. With the exception of North America, local numbers can not be used to send and/or receive SMS messages.

Because local numbers are also used by local businesses and organizations, customers will be familiar with using local numbers to communicate with businesses. If you’re choosing a number to represent a branch office or a small business in a particular region, local numbers can help to integrate your band into the local landscape.

Local numbers are best used for:

  • Building trust and credibility in a focused geographic region

  • Local branches of nationwide businesses

  • Local businesses

National numbers

Like local numbers, national numbers start with recognizable prefixes that make it easy for customers to recognize your brand, but because a single number can be used nationwide, national numbers help to integrate brand recognition at a country-wide level.

National numbers also help to reduce customer bias for local numbers by giving every customer a single point of contact.

National numbers are best used for:

  • Building trust and credibility over a wide geographic region

  • Nationwide businesses

  • Head offices

  • Reducing costs by having a single number

Toll-free numbers

A toll-free or "freephone" number is a number that is billed for all arriving calls, it usually begins with a (0)8XX prefix. Generally speaking, Toll-free numbers can only be reached nationally. In North America, these numbers can be enabled for messaging as well.

Toll-free numbers are free for the caller, which means that you can use them to provide a free point of contact for customers who call you. Instead, the cost of a call to a toll-free number is absorbed by the business.

Toll-free numbers are best used for:

  • Providing customers with a free contact number

  • Allowing customers outside of a geographic region to contact you without paying for a long-distance call

  • Conversational messaging (North America only)

Shortcodes

Shortcodes are easy-to-remember numbers that are 4 to 6 digits long, and are used as a sender for two-way messaging. For North America, these provide the highest throughput for high-volume messaging campaigns.

Unlike many other number types, shortcodes do not contain local area codes, but they are only active on a national level and do not provide voice services Shortcodes are a national service and cannot be reached from foreign numbers.

Shortcode number capabilities vary from country to country.

Shortcodes are best used for:

  • High-volume marketing campaigns

  • Conversational messaging

  • Campaigns where an easy-to-remember number is beneficial, e.g. TV & Advertisement

10DLC SMS

10DLC is a standard 10-digit long code number only available in the United States, and can include any area code. If you want to send application-to-person (A2P) messages within the US then you need to register your 10-digit long code number to verify your brand and use case ahead of time. 10DLC registration ensures better delivery quality and lower filtering risk.

10DLC numbers are best used for:

  • Building trust and credibility in the United States, by using a local originator

  • Transactional and promotional messaging

Find out more about 10DLC and its specific regulations and requirements.

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