AWS Publishes Guide to SMS Short Codes

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has published a new guide detailing the process of acquiring and utilizing SMS short codes through its End User Messaging service. Short codes, characterized by their brief and memorable nature, serve as a critical tool for businesses engaging in customer communication.

The guide highlights the advantages of short codes, including their high throughput capabilities, starting at 100 messages per second and scalable to thousands. This makes them suitable for mass messaging and critical applications like one-time passwords (OTP) and two-factor authentication (2FA). The increased deliverability of short codes is attributed to more rigorous registration processes, which reduce the likelihood of messages being filtered.

AWS also acknowledges the limitations associated with short codes. They are restricted to SMS/MMS functionality only, unlike long codes, 10DLC, or toll-free numbers that can support voice calls. Furthermore, the acquisition costs and registration process for short codes are more complex compared to other number types, positioning them as a premium offering by carriers.

The guide is intended for businesses seeking to enhance their customer communication strategies by effectively utilizing the SMS channel. It provides insights into the features, benefits, and considerations of short codes, assisting companies in making informed decisions regarding their messaging operations.