Voice Short Codes
Overview
Five digit SMS Short Codes have proven to be a huge marketing success over the past few years thanks to their memorability and convenience. As a result, UK mobile operators are now beginning to launch a wholesale offering for Voice Short Codes. The short codes allocated coincide with those already established as SMS Short Codes, making them the ideal complement to SMS services already in existence and an effective marketing vehicle to combine voice and data components of any campaign or application. Voice Short Code services are ones where the revenue from the overall charge to customers is shared between a mobile network operator and the content provider. Customers pay for premium rate calls in the normal way; either on their mobile phone bill or out of their pre-paid credit. Voice Short Code numbers coincide with SMS Short Codes. The same 5-digit short code number can therefore be used for both voice calls and SMS messaging. |
Benefits of Voice Short Codes
There are several key benefits of Voice Short Codes to mobile operators, their subscribers and third party content providers alike.
End users are able to make calls to Voice Short Codes from their mobile phone
5-digit memorable numbers
End user charges for calls made from mobile phones
Combine Voice Short Codes with Reverse Billing SMS Short Codes
Traditional '090' premium rate numbers cannot usually be called from mobile phones; they are often barred by the mobile networks by default. Even if this bar is lifted, end users can still be restricted in making calls to premium rate numbers. For example, end users on Orange UK cannot call a premium rate number that charges more than 60p per minute, even after having lifted the premium rate bar.
Mobile phone users can, however, make calls to Voice Short Codes, allowing end users to call voice services that they may otherwise not be able to access if the service was via a premium rate number.
There are obvious advantages to Voice Short Codes. End users only have to call a 5-digit number, which is much more memorable than a standard phone number or premium rate number. Users are more likely to remember the short code and therefore re-use the service.
The same 5-digit short code number can be used for both voice services and SMS services. Mobile operators are currently in the process of launching MMS Short Codes, which again will provide MMS services on the same short code number. Eventually, they will also be used for video calls.
Call charges to mobile phones can be variable. When a premium rate number is called from a mobile phone, the charges to the end user are usually higher than if the call had been made from a landline. For example, mobile phone users may be charged 2.50 GBP per minute when calling a 1.50 GBP per minute premium rate number.
Voice Short Code services can be combined with sending reverse billed SMS messages from the same short code number. For example, an end user wishing to order a ringtone can call a 5-digit Voice Short Code at a low premium rate tariff, listen to the ringtone, decide to buy it and then receive a reverse billed SMS message from the same short code as a means of billing them a higher premium amount for the ringtone.
Further details on the MX Telecom Reverse Billing SMS Service can be seen here.
Current Issues with Voice Short Codes
Voice Short Codes can only be dialled from a mobile phone and not from a landline, although this may change in the future.
The outpayment revenue on Voice Short Codes is much lower than that for Premium Rate Numbers. However, the main advantage of Voice Short Codes is that they can be called from a mobile phone, unlike premium rate numbers which cannot be called from most handsets.
There are some Voice Short Code numbers that cannot be set up by particular networks. These are listed in full in the following table:
| Mobile Operator | Unavailable Voice Short Codes |
|---|---|
| Vodafone | 81XXX |
| Orange | 8000X |
| 7XXXX | |
| O2 | 616XX |
| 65XXX | |
| 66XXX | |
| 67XXX | |
| 68XXX | |
| 800XX | |
| 808XX | |
| 888XX | |
| T-Mobile | 80XXX |
| 8294X | |
| 879XX |
IVR Platform / Call Forwarding
If using the MX Telecom IVR Platform, Voice Short Code Service outpayments include the cost of the IVR Platform usage. A set up fee may apply if a complex configuration is required for the service. Further details on the MX Telecom IVR Platform can be found here.
Alternatively, calls can be forwarded to an existing IVR platform. The outpayments include the cost of routing the call to a UK geographic number.
If calls are to be re-routed, then service providers need to supply MX Telecom with a geographic DDI (Direct-Dialling-In) number per network, such that the outpayment revenue can be determined when forwarding on the calls. MX Telecom also passes on the CLI (Calling Line Identification) where available.
Pricing
Voice Short Codes are now available on the UK networks listed below. The following pricing structure is based on a per mobile network basis and all prices are exclusive of VAT.
| MX Telecom Voice Short Code Service | Price per Voice Short Code (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Setup Fee | 0 |
| Short Code Monthly Fee (Vodafone UK) | 200 |
| Short Code Monthly Fee (Orange UK) | 200 |
| Short Code Monthly Fee (T-Mobile UK) | 200 |
| Short Code Monthly Fee (3 UK) | 150 |
| Short Code Monthly Fee (Virgin UK) | 150 |
If a Voice Short Code Service in run in conjunction with a Reverse Billing SMS Short Code service, fees for each service still apply. Full details on pricing and outpayments for the MX Telecom Reverse Billing SMS Service can be found here.
Voice Short Code Service Outpayments
MX Telecom offers revenue outpayments for Voice Short Code services as follows.
For all networks:
All prices are in GBP pence
Outpayments do not include VAT
The Outpayment rate is dependent upon the combined monthly volume of minutes for which a Voice Short Code is connected to the customer services, in any calendar month.
Upon reaching a volume threshold as indicated, the respective volume revenue rate will apply to all Voice Short Code traffic. For the avoidance of doubt, volumes are not aggregated between different networks.
Vodafone Outpayment Table
| End User Price (inc VAT) | 20.0 | 25.0 | 35.0 | 50.0 | 60.0 | 75.0 | 100.0 | 120.0 | 150.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End User Price (ex VAT) | 17.0 | 21.3 | 29.8 | 42.6 | 51.1 | 63.8 | 85.1 | 102.1 | 127.7 |
| 0 - 20,000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 14.7 | 21.3 | 31.2 | 48.5 | 63.7 | 83.2 |
| 20,001 - 25,000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.7 | 15.4 | 22.1 | 32.0 | 49.3 | 64.0 | 84.0 |
| 25,001 - 50,000 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 6.5 | 16.2 | 22.8 | 32.7 | 50.0 | 65.2 | 85.2 |
| 50,001 - 100,000 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 8.0 | 17.7 | 24.3 | 34.2 | 51.5 | 66.2 | 86.2 |
| 100,001 - 250,000 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 8.7 | 18.4 | 25.1 | 35.0 | 52.3 | 67.0 | 87.0 |
| 250,001 - 500,000 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 11.3 | 20.3 | 27.9 | 38.3 | 54.7 | 68.0 | 87.1 |
| 500,001 + | 2.8 | 5.2 | 11.9 | 21.0 | 28.5 | 38.9 | 55.3 | 69.7 | 87.4 |
O2 Outpayment Table
| End User Price (inc VAT) | 25.0 | 50.0 | 65.0 | 80.0 | 100.0 | 150.0 | 200.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End User Price (ex VAT) | 21.3 | 42.6 | 55.3 | 68.1 | 85.1 | 127.7 | 170.2 |
| 0 - 5,000 | 1.0 | 14.0 | 23.5 | 31.5 | 44.1 | 70.0 | 101.0 |
| 5,001 - 25,000 | 1.5 | 14.5 | 24.0 | 32.0 | 44.9 | 70.5 | 101.5 |
| 25,001 - 50,000 | 2.0 | 15.0 | 24.5 | 32.5 | 45.2 | 70.75 | 102.0 |
| 50,001 - 100,000 | 2.5 | 15.5 | 25.0 | 33.0 | 45.7 | 71.0 | 102.5 |
| 100,001 - 250,000 | 3.0 | 16.0 | 25.5 | 33.5 | 46.3 | 71.25 | 103.0 |
| 250,001 - 500,000 | 3.25 | 16.5 | 26.0 | 34.0 | 46.7 | 71.5 | 103.5 |
| 500,001 - 1,000,000 | 3.5 | 16.8 | 26.5 | 34.5 | 47.0 | 71.75 | 104.0 |
| 1,000,001 + | 3.75 | 17.0 | 27.0 | 35.0 | 47.3 | 72.0 | 104.5 |
T-Mobile Outpayment Table
| End User Price (inc VAT) | 10.0 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 60.0 | 75.0 | 100.0 | 150.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End User Price (ex VAT) | 8.5 | 21.3 | 42.6 | 51.1 | 63.8 | 85.1 | 127.7 |
| 0 - 25,000 | -3.6 | 2.1 | 19.4 | 24.7 | 32.6 | 54.1 | 83.2 |
| 25,001 - 250,000 | -2.1 | 5.5 | 21.5 | 27.2 | 35.8 | 55.8 | 85.7 |
| 250,001 + | -1.9 | 6.3 | 24.1 | 30.3 | 39.6 | 57.5 | 88.3 |
Orange Outpayment Table
| End User Price (inc VAT) | 10.0 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 25.0 | 35.0 | 40.0 | 50.0 | 60.0 | 75.0 | 100.0 | 120.0 | 150.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End User Price (ex VAT) | 8.5 | 12.8 | 17.0 | 21.3 | 29.8 | 34.0 | 42.6 | 51.1 | 63.8 | 85.1 | 102.1 | 127.7 |
| 0 - 5,000 | -3.74 | -2.44 | 0.68 | 1.39 | 5.62 | 5.76 | 16.67 | 23.10 | 32.20 | 50.50 | 63.27 | 81.90 |
| 5,001 - 25,000 | -3.74 | -2.44 | 1.18 | 2.09 | 5.62 | 5.76 | 16.98 | 23.10 | 32.20 | 50.83 | 63.27 | 82.23 |
| 25,001 - 50,000 | -2.75 | -0.89 | 1.43 | 3.02 | 9.02 | 9.21 | 18.82 | 25.56 | 34.98 | 52.60 | 65.56 | 84.32 |
| 50,001 - 100,000 | -2.75 | -0.69 | 1.77 | 3.30 | 9.25 | 9.44 | 19.13 | 25.79 | 35.22 | 52.92 | 65.80 | 84.64 |
| 100,001 - 250,000 | -2.75 | -0.50 | 2.10 | 3.74 | 9.47 | 9.67 | 19.60 | 26.03 | 35.46 | 53.57 | 66.05 | 85.13 |
| 250,001 - 500,000 | -2.61 | 0.63 | 2.63 | 4.43 | 10.47 | 10.68 | 20.88 | 27.97 | 37.80 | 54.44 | 67.51 | 86.44 |
| 500,001 - 1,000,000 | -2.61 | 0.83 | 2.80 | 4.61 | 10.70 | 10.91 | 21.07 | 28.21 | 38.04 | 54.63 | 67.75 | 86.63 |
| 1,000,001 + | -2.61 | 0.83 | 2.85 | 4.67 | 10.70 | 10.91 | 21.13 | 28.21 | 38.04 | 54.70 | 67.75 | 86.70 |
3 Outpayment Table
| End User Price (inc VAT) | 25.0 | 50.0 | 60.0 | 75.0 | 100.0 | 120.0 | 150.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End User Price (ex VAT) | 21.3 | 42.6 | 51.1 | 63.8 | 85.1 | 102.1 | 127.7 |
| 0 - 4,999 | 2.0 | 16.0 | 24.0 | 35.5 | 57.0 | 62.0 | 86.0 |
| 5,000 - 24,999 | 2.4 | 17.0 | 25.0 | 36.0 | 57.5 | 63.0 | 87.0 |
| 25,000 - 49,999 | 3.6 | 19.0 | 27.0 | 37.0 | 58.0 | 64.0 | 88.0 |
| 50,000 - 99,999 | 4.0 | 21.0 | 28.0 | 38.0 | 59.0 | 65.0 | 89.0 |
| 100,000 - 249,999 | 4.7 | 22.0 | 28.5 | 39.0 | 60.0 | 65.5 | 89.5 |
| 250,000 - 499,999 | 5.0 | 24.0 | 29.0 | 39.5 | 62.0 | 66.0 | 90.0 |
| 500,000 - 999,999 | 6.0 | 25.5 | 29.5 | 40.0 | 64.5 | 67.0 | 90.5 |
| 1,000,000 + | 6.5 | 27.0 | 30.0 | 41.0 | 66.0 | 69.0 | 91.0 |
Virgin Outpayment Table
| End User Price (inc VAT) | 10.0 | 12.0 | 15.0 | 18.0 | 20.0 | 25.0 | 35.0 | 50.0 | 60.0 | 100.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End User Price (ex VAT) | 8.5 | 10.2 | 12.8 | 15.3 | 17.0 | 21.3 | 29.8 | 42.6 | 51.1 | 85.1 |
| 0 - 25,000 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 10.4 | 16.4 | 21.1 | 38.8 |
| 25,001 - 100,000 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 6.1 | 11.0 | 17.3 | 22.1 | 40.5 |
| 100,001 - 250,000 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 11.5 | 17.9 | 22.9 | 42.6 |
| 250,001 - 500,000 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.5 | 11.7 | 18.3 | 23.4 | 42.6 |
| 500,001 - 1,000,000 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 11.7 | 18.3 | 23.4 | 42.6 |
| End User Price (inc VAT) | 120.0 | 150.0 | 200.0 | 250.0 | 300.0 | 350.0 | 400.0 | 450.0 | 500.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End User Price (ex VAT) | 102.1 | 127.7 | 170.2 | 212.8 | 255.3 | 297.9 | 340.4 | 383.0 | 425.5 |
| 0 - 25,000 | 47.2 | 60.2 | 93.6 | 117.0 | 140.4 | 163.8 | 187.2 | 210.6 | 234.0 |
| 25,001 - 100,000 | 49.2 | 64.8 | 99.7 | 124.7 | 149.6 | 174.6 | 202.6 | 227.9 | 253.2 |
| 100,001 - 250,000 | 51.8 | 66.0 | 101.3 | 126.6 | 151.9 | 177.2 | 202.6 | 227.9 | 253.2 |
| 250,001 - 500,000 | 51.8 | 66.0 | 101.3 | 126.6 | 151.9 | 177.2 | 202.6 | 227.9 | 253.2 |
| 500,001 - 1,000,000 | 51.8 | 66.0 | 101.3 | 126.6 | 151.9 | 177.2 | 202.6 | 227.9 | 253.2 |
Of the main UK networks, both O2 and T-Mobile impose a minimum call charge of 1 minute for any call made.
Account Setup
A Voice Short Code Service account can usually be setup within 3 weeks on Vodafone UK and within 6 weeks on all the other main UK networks.
Sign Up
To Sign up for a MX Telecom Voice Short Code Service, please contact sales@mxtelecom.com or call 0845 666 7778 (+44 845 666 7778).
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About MX TelecomMX Telecom is a leader in wireless technology. MX Telecom offers an easily accessible gateway to data, voice and video messaging services including 2-way and premium SMS, multimedia messaging, interactive voice response, location-based services, video short codes, Internet and TV related solutions. For more information, MX Telecom can be reached on 0845 666 7778, or via email at sales@mxtelecom.com. |
