Many Virtual Operators don't support shot code messages. What does it mean, does it really matter?

SouthLondonUser

Many Mobile Virtual Network Operators (those like CoOp Mobile, PlusNet, etc, which do not have their own infrastructure but use that of EE, Vodafone, Three, etc) do not support short code messages. What does this mean in practice? Is it a reason to stay away from these operators or would most people be reasonably unaffected by this limitation?

• If I understand correctly, "short code messages" are shorter numbers which can be used by companies for marketing campaigns. E.g. text STOP to 12345 to stop receiving these messages. Is that al there is to it or are they also used in other circumstances?
• Does this mean you cannot opt out from these spams/newsletters?
• Are they used to access any public service? I looked at the last txt messages from hospitals and NHS and they all pointed to web links to confirm appointments, there wasn't even an option to send text messages. Or does not supporting short code messages mean you cannot receive SMS from NHS etc?
• Can you still text 999 to contact the Police or text 61016 to contact the British Transport Police, etc, even on a CoOp mobile number?

Neil_Jones

EmegencySOS (texting 999) should work on all networks (you have to register first).  Or you can just call it or 112.

And technically short codes are permitted, as the ones to request PAC codes work (although that's a requirement of their licence from Ofcom rather than something they choose to do)

Think you can receive on MVNO short code but not reply if the network doesn't support.

SouthLondonUser

Yes, but what kind of services would require me to reply using short code messages?

flaneurs_lobster

Don't know if it helps much but here's a (long) pdf from 3 that lists current short codes and their owners/users.

https://www.three.co.uk/content/dam/threedigital/terms-and-conditions/shortcodes/short-codes-april-2024.pdf

I suspect that the reason that some MVNOs don't want to allow outgoing short codes is because they lack the billing infrastructure to allow charging to the mobile account (when using short codes to enter draws, donate, etc).

Also they may well not want to open a route whereby their customers can become very irate when they realise that they've signed up for a daily horoscope or horseracing tip at £10 a pop.

Short codes are used by some financial institutions for 2FA and I would be checking that any MVNO allows receipt of messages even if not the sending of them. 

DoboChopSueyBar

SouthLondonUser said:

Yes, but what kind of services would require me to reply using short code messages?

For some transactions (usually high value), I've had PayPal message me immediately after making the purchase. I needed to reply to a short code to confirm its me who made the transaction, which my operator (EE) supports. 

PHK

Yes, not just PayPal but many banks if they think there is a possibility your account is in danger or you might be being scammed. (Unusual transactions etc)

Some use their apps instead/as well for biometric approval. 

judexx

flaneurs_lobster said:

..

.
I suspect that the reason that some MVNOs don't want to allow outgoing short codes is because they lack the billing infrastructure to allow charging to the mobile account (when using short codes to enter draws, donate, etc).

Also they may well not want to open a route whereby their customers can become very irate when they realise that they've signed up for a daily horoscope or horseracing tip at £10 a pop.

Short codes are used by some financial institutions for 2FA and I would be checking that any MVNO allows receipt of messages even if not the sending of them. 

I'm with SMARTY who don't allow sending texts to short numbers but I've never had a problem with receiving texts from any organisation for 2FA

jbrassy

MVNOs typically allow you to receive short code messages, but not respond to them. This is because lots of the MNVOs are PAYG and responding to these texts costs extra. So for example, you probably can't respond on Smarty because you have no credit. However, I am on a contract deal with ID and can respond as I am charged for them at the end of the month.

PHK

judexx said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

..

.
I suspect that the reason that some MVNOs don't want to allow outgoing short codes is because they lack the billing infrastructure to allow charging to the mobile account (when using short codes to enter draws, donate, etc).

Also they may well not want to open a route whereby their customers can become very irate when they realise that they've signed up for a daily horoscope or horseracing tip at £10 a pop.

Short codes are used by some financial institutions for 2FA and I would be checking that any MVNO allows receipt of messages even if not the sending of them. 

I'm with SMARTY who don't allow sending texts to short numbers but I've never had a problem with receiving texts from any organisation for 2FA

But the point is, if the bank asked you to respond (because of a transaction they aren’t sure about) you can’t reply to the message. 

SouthLondonUser

The banks and credit card companies I use require you to respond from their app, not by sending an SMS.
I'm sure some services will require an SMS reply but it should be fairly easy to figure out if yours are among those

I have triple checked all the text messages I have had; there were a few hospital appointments and GP appointments, but none required a reply via text

apwood

I don't know about other banks, but Barclaycard require a response about suspect transactions via SMS. I use Smarty so that makes it very time consuming to deal with these messages because I end up having to phone them.