What are short codes?
Short codes are special, very short telephone numbers that can be used to send and receive SMS and MMS messages. Short codes are intended to be easier to read and remember than normal length numbers. In Kenya short codes 5 digits in length such as ‘24222’.
What are short codes used for?
Because short codes are shorter and more memorable than standard mobile or landline telephone numbers, they can be used as a primary business and marketing contact number. However, the most popular use for short codes is in automated services.
Automated services are controlled by software rather than an actual human, and the user interacts with the service by sending short commands to the service via their mobile phone handset, which then reacts accordingly.
E.g. Text ‘WINNER’ to 2 4222to enter the competition!
Because it’s possible to charge the sender at the standard rate, premium rate, or with an additional fee, short code services are often used as a low margin-high volume profit generator.