The Sinch Canadian Short Code Onboarding guide describes the process for onboarding Canadian short codes.
Note: Steps for MMS provisioning have been added below.
The process can be summarized in 3 easy steps:
STEP 1 - Apply for the code by completing the CTA Common Short Code Application Form. Or, download the PDF and submit it to ca.programs@sinch.com.
STEP 2 - Client provides payment via credit card or invoice to CTA to secure your application in time for the carrier deadlines.
STEP 3 - CA Service Implementation team will ensure deadlines are met, and program is ready for submission.
Timeline: 3-7 weeks end to end.
Note: The deadline to submit application forms to the CTA is every Thursday at 1:00PM (ET). The carriers review Application Forms the following Tuesday and decide if they wish to participate in the Short Code program.
Annual Canadian Carrier Brownout Notice:
The Canadian Carrier Brownout is an annual carrier provisioning freeze during which new Short Codes, or changes requiring network updates to existing Short Codes, such as aggregator migrations or price point changes, do not occur.
Please make note of the following timeline changes to the Canadian Short Code provisioning process for the 2025-2026 brownout period:
In order to meet the last provisioning date of 2025 and to have a Short Code provisioned or migrated by ALL CARRIERS, applications must be submitted to the Association by:
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 1:00pm ET
Applications submitted by this deadline will be provisioned by the participating carriers between Nov. 11 – Nov. 17, 2025.
**Applications submitted after this deadline will be scheduled for provisioning in January 2026.**
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As always, application review will continue as usual through November and December to review applications for provisioning starting January 5, 2026, with Bell, Freedom, Rogers, and TELUS to follow with provisioning on January 13, 2026.
Programs will continue to be considered on a first come, first served basis; provisioning dates are dependent on the volume of applications submitted.
Steps to get a Canadian Short Code provisioned for MMS
STEP 1 - Complete a Common Short Code Application Form and ensure to complete the following sections for MMS:
- Section 3.1 - Check off MMS as a Program Type, as well as any other applicable Program Types.
- Section 3.4.1 - Describe how MMS will be used as part of the customer experience. A separate attachment should be included with sample MMS files related to the proposed customer experience.
- Section 3.8
- Message Volume Forecast - Provide an MMS-specific forecast:
- Estimated number of subscribers receiving MMS/month x Estimated number of MMS sent per subscriber per month = Total est. MMS msgs/month
- 'For MMS Programs' - Detail anticipated file types and sizes.
**NOTE** If you are looking to add MMS to a live Canadian SMS SC, please add the above details to the approved application form. If you do not have a copy of the approved application form, reach out to CA.Programs@sinch.com for assistance.
STEP 2 - Once the application is submitted to CA.Programs@sinch.com, it will be submitted to the carriers for review.
STEP 3 - If approved, the Short Code will be provisioned in alignment with the 2025 Short Code Provisioning and Migration Schedule.
