close

loading ...

3 to 5 digit short numbers are easy for customers to remember, and are the perfect call to action for any content business. Identical short numbers can be obtained by contacting all Swiss mobile phone operators.

Short numbers need to be activated on all the Swiss mobile phone networks if your service is to be available to all mobile users. This can be handled through Orange or through an aggregator to simplify the process and save on costs.

basic principle: 'First come, first served'

Short codes will be allocated in the order in which the corresponding requests are received. Where there is evidence that a Mobile Service Provider is the first to reserve or be allocated a specific short code from an Operator, that provider has preference over other interested parties who make later requests.

Any one specific short code can only be used by one Mobile Service Provider Short codes at different operators cannot be used by different Mobile Service Providers. Once a short code has been allocated, it is blocked at the other operators unless it has active status with other operators for the same Mobile Service Provider.

possible status of a short code

  • 'free'
  • 'reserved'
  • 'Implemented'
  • 'blocked'

available short codes

3-5 digit short codes within the number ranges 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx, 7xx, 8xx and 9xx can be allocated. On request, the Mobile Service Provider may be awarded any (available) short code from within these number ranges. If the Mobile Service Provider does not express any particular wish for a specific short code, it will be given a short code beginning with the number 9.

Short codes beginning with the number 6 are reserved for adult entertainment services. Short codes beginning with the number 1 are not or no longer awarded. An exception will be considered for requests made by the owner of the corresponding voice-number for an identical SMS/MMS service.

SMS/MMS services offering adult entertainment can only be provided using short codes of the type 6xx. 6xx numbers may only be used for adult entertainment services.

reservation of short codes

The Mobile Service Provider contacts one of the operaor with its allocation request. Ideally, it should first check whether the short code is available by consulting the operator's website. Whenever an operator receives an allocation request, it will:

  • Check whether the requested short code is available.
  • Determine the exact time when the request was submitted
  • Change the short code status on its system from 'free' to 'reserved' within 3 days

The Mobile Service Provider will itself approach the other operators at whom it wishes either to reserve or to later use the short code. The reservation period expires after two months.

If the reservation period expires without a contract, the operator will reset the status of the short code from 'reserved' to 'free'. Except where it has received notification from another operator that the short code has been activated there, the status is then changed from 'free' to 'blocked'.

If a Mobile Service Provider only wishes to activate a short code at one operator, it is blocked for the remaining operators, and a 'blocked' notice placed in the weblink of the other operators. The same applies in cases where the Mobile Service Provider requested a short code at all the operators but could not reach agreement with all of them and therefore only activated it with one or more but not all operators. You can check the short numbers availability at Orange.

reuse of short codes once no longer active

Deactivated short codes are blocked immediately after cancellation by all operators and can be reallocated following a period of 3 months. In cases of a 'change of holder' (new Mobile Service Provider, same short code, same service) there is no deactivation and no blocking of the short code.

The Mobile Service Provider is responsible for compliance with the provisions of the penal code with respect to the protection of minors, in particular by implementing legally acceptable controls on access.

blocking sets

The end customers can at no cost request to have access blocked to chargeable SMS and MMS services or only for SMS and MMS adult entertainment services. This option also includes blocking the reception of those services selected.