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SMS overview

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Important

SMS and PSTN capabilities depend on the phone number you use and the country/region that you're operating within as determined by your Azure billing address. For more information, visit the Subscription eligibility documentation.

Azure Communication Services enables you to send and receive short message service (SMS) text messages using the Communication Services SMS SDKs. You can use these SDKs to support customer service scenarios, appointment reminders, two-factor authentication, and other real-time communication needs. Azure Communication Services SMS enables you to reliably send messages while exposing deliverability and response metrics.

SMS features

Key features of Azure Communication Services SMS SDKs include:

  • Simple setup experience for adding SMS capability to your applications.
  • High Velocity message support over toll free numbers and short codes for A2P (Application to Person) use cases in the United States.
  • Bulk Messaging supported to enable sending messages to multiple recipients at a time.
  • Two-way conversations to support scenarios like customer support, alerts, and appointment reminders.
  • Reliable Delivery with real-time delivery reports for messages sent from your application.
  • Analytics to track your SMS usage patterns. See SMS insights for details.
  • Opt-Out handling support to automatically detect and respect opt-outs for toll-free numbers and short codes. US carriers mandate and enforce opt-outs for US toll-free numbers. See opt-out handling FAQ for details.

Sender types supported

You need a phone number to send SMS to any recipient. Choosing the right number type is critical to the success of your messaging campaign. When choosing a number type, consider the message destination, the throughput needed for your campaign, and when you want to start sending messages. Azure Communication Services enables you to send SMS using various sender types: toll-free number (1-8XX), short codes (12345), 10 digit long codes (1-234-123-1234), and alphanumeric sender ID (CONTOSO). The following table walks you through the features of each number type:

Number Type overview

Number Type Description Provisioning Time Get Started
Toll-Free Toll free numbers are telephone numbers with distinct three-digit codes that can be used for business to consumer communication without any charge to the consumer. 5–6 weeks Get a toll-free number
Short Code Short codes are 5–6 digit numbers used for business to consumer messaging such as alerts, notifications, and marketing. 6–8 weeks Get a short code
Dynamic Alphanumeric Sender ID Alphanumeric Sender IDs are displayed as a custom alphanumeric phrase like the company’s name (CONTOSO, MyCompany) on the recipient handset. Alphanumeric sender IDs can be used for various use cases like one-time passcodes, marketing alerts, and flight status notifications. Dynamic alphanumeric sender ID is supported in countries that do not require registration for use. Instant Enable dynamic alphanumeric sender ID
Preregistered Alphanumeric Sender ID Alphanumeric Sender IDs are displayed as a custom alphanumeric phrase like the company’s name (CONTOSO, MyCompany) on the recipient handset. Alphanumeric sender IDs can be used for various use cases like one-time passcodes, marketing alerts, and flight status notifications. Pre-registered alphanumeric sender ID is supported in countries that require registration for use. 4–5 weeks Enable preregistered alphanumeric sender ID
10DLC 10DLC, or 10-Digit Long Code, refers to a 10-digit phone number that is utilized for SMS communications. These numbers are primarily used by businesses and organizations for sending large volumes of Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS messages. 2–3 weeks Apply for 10DLC
Mobile Numbers Mobile numbers refer to standard mobile phone numbers that can be used by businesses for two-way SMS communication with customers. These numbers are commonly used in various countries for both person-to-person (P2P) and Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging, enabling businesses to send notifications, alerts, and customer engagement messages. 1–3 weeks Acquire a mobile number

Feature Comparison by Number Type

Number Type SMS Support Voice Support Format Throughput
Toll-Free Two-way SMS Yes +1 (8XX) XYZ PQRS 200 messages/min (can be increased upon request)
Short Code Two-way SMS No 12345 6000 messages/min (can be increased upon request)
Dynamic Alphanumeric Sender ID One-way outbound SMS No CONTOSO* 600 messages/min (can be increased upon request)
Preregistered Alphanumeric Sender ID One-way outbound SMS No CONTOSO* 600 messages/min (can be increased upon request)
10DLC Two-way SMS Yes 1 (425) ABC DEFG 200 messages/min (can be increased upon request)
Mobile Numbers Two-way SMS No +XX XXXXX XXXXX 200 messages/min (can be increased upon request)

* For detailed formatting requirements, see Alphanumeric sender ID FAQ .

Number Type Availability by Country

Country Toll-Free Short Code 10DLC Mobile Number Dynamic Alpha Prereg. Alpha
United States ✅ ✅ ✅ – – –
Canada ✅ ✅ – – – –
Puerto Rico ✅ – – – – –
United Kingdom – ✅ – ✅ – ✅
Australia – – – ✅ – ✅
Germany – – – – ✅ –
France – – – – ✅ –
Italy – – – – – ✅
Ireland – – – ✅ ✅ –
Finland – – – ✅ – ✅
Denmark – – – ✅ ✅ –
Netherlands – – – ✅ ✅ –
Sweden – – – ✅ ✅ –
Poland – – – ✅ ✅ –
Belgium – – – ✅ – –
Latvia – – – ✅ ✅ –
Estonia – – – – ✅ –
Lithuania – – – – ✅ –
Portugal – – – – ✅ –
Spain – – – – ✅ –
Switzerland – – – – ✅ –
Czech Republic – – – – – ✅
Norway – – – – – ✅
Slovakia – – – – – ✅
Slovenia – – – – – ✅

Next steps

Get started with sending sms