Additional Information regarding Pricing for US and Canadian Short Code Campaigns

Jonathan_Vimont — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:06:28 GMT

This article contains useful information regarding Sinch Short Code Campaign Pricing in North America

Disclaimer: Prices shown on this page are only indications and may be subject to change. Always contact a Sinch Account Manager for the most up to date pricing.

Contact Sinch to discuss the most up-to-date costs, and to calculate costs related to your business needs.

What are Short Codes in US and Canada?

Short Code (also called Common Short Code - CSC) is a special 5-6 digit number which is used for any "A2P" text messaging in USA and Canada. These numbers are used as a way to enable fair use of mobile messaging to the benefit of consumers and companies offering products and services to wireless subscribers regardless of choice of Wireless Provider.

When do I Need a Short Code?

A CSC is required to run mobile messaging services. In other words, CSC is used as an originator of all mobile messages associated with a specific mobile service/campaign.

Who manages/issues Short Codes?

CSC are issued and managed on behalf of all mobile carriers in a country by a central issuing registrar. Wireless carriers in respective countries chose these organizations to administer applications and issuance of CSC.

In Canada, CSCs are administered by the Canadian Telecommunications Association (CTA), who act as an intermediary between the Canadian carriers, policy makers in the Canadian government, and Aggregators like Sinch.

What Types of Short Codes exist in the USA?

There are two types:

Vanity - Vanity short codes are requested (if available) by the applicant.
Random - Random short codes are simply assigned to the applicant at random, you do not get to choose.

What Types of Short Codes exist in Canada?

There are two types - Short code and Long code. The difference is that long codes are 8-digit codes assigned in sequential order.

Note: Vanity codes are offered without additional cost if available.

How much does it Cost?

Canada
Common Short code	$1,103.03 USD for first 3 months. $257.37 USD in month 4 to end of 1st year. Note: Canadian Short code programs are assigned for a maximum of 1 year. Prior to the 1 year expiration, the brand owner of the code has right of first refusal to either cancel or renew the existing code for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.	*Additional Lease Management Fees apply
USA
Random	$500USD	*Additional Lease Management Fees apply
Vanity	$1,000USD	*Additional Lease Management Fees apply

* Note: In both US and Canada, Sinch can manage your SC Leases for a minimum charge and mirror your US Campaign on record with Ushortcodes.com registry up to date. <- This is a requirement to renew your US SC lease.

US SMS & Campaign Fees:

	One-Time	Monthly Service
US CSCA Random Short Code Lease		$500
US CSCA Vanity Short Code Lease		$1,000
Sinch US Short Code Management Fee		Additional Lease Management Fees apply
Sinch CAN Short Code Management Fee		Additional Lease Management Fees apply
Sinch SC Audit Assistance Fee *CTIA Initiated	$250
T-Mobile Setup fee for each new short code campaign provisioned, including short code campaigns migrated from another aggregator	$500
Verizon (standard rate short code migration fee)	$500
Verizon (FTEU new short code set up fee)	$2,000
Verizon (FTEU short code migration fee)	$500
Puerto Rico
Claro PR	$100

US Carrier Messaging Fees:

US Carrier Fees	MT	MO

Standard Rate SMS via Short Code Messaging Fees
T-Mobile	$0.0045	$0.0025
US Cellular	$0.0045
Verizon	$0.0040
AT&T	$0.0035	$0.0035
ClearSky	$0.0040
Interop	$0.0035	$0.0035
Puerto Rico	MT	MO
Claro PR	$0.0740
Boost	$0.0035
Liberty Wireless	$0.0125	$0.005
US Standard Rate MMS via Short Code Messaging Fees	MT	MO
T-Mobile	$0.0100	$0.0100
US Cellular	$0.0100	$0.0100
Verizon	$0.0065
AT&T	$0.0090	$0.0090

Canadian Carrier Campaign Fees (all prices in USD):

	One-Time	Monthly Service
CTA Short Code Application Fee (incl. 3-month lease)	$1,103.03
CTA Short Code Lease Fee (starting 4th month)		$257.37
Bell & Virgin Short Code Provisioning (SMS only)	$368.48
Bell & Virgin Short Code Provisioning (SMS plus MMS)	$552.63
Bell & Virgin Short Code Provisioning (Add MMS to SMS)	$184.21
Rogers Provisioning	$73.54
Videotron Provisioning	$-
Sinch SC Audit Assistance Fee *CTA Initiated	$250

Canadian Messaging Fees (all prices in USD):

Canadian Operator Surcharge Messaging Fees	MT	MO
Standard Rate via Short Code
Bell & Virgin Mobile	$0.0049	$0.0049
Rogers & Fido	$0.0052	$0.0052
Telus	$0.0048	-
Videotron & Fizz	$0.0037	$0.0037
Freedom Mobile	$0.0037	$0.0037
Eastlink Mobile	$0.0037	$0.0037
ICE Wireless	$0.0037	-
ISP Telecom**	$0.0035	-
All other carriers	-	-
Canadian Standard Rate MMS via Short Code Messaging Fees	MT	MO
Bell	$0.018	$0.018
TELUS	$0.0096	-
Rogers	$0.0074	$0.0074

** Billed in USD

Useful links:

article Additional Information regarding Pricing for US and Canadian Short Code Campaigns in Product Pricing FAQ

Additional Information regarding Pricing for US and Canadian Short Code Campaigns