For businesses seeking a more efficient and effective way to connect with customers, SMS short codes offer a powerful solution. These 6-digit numbers simplify communication, making it easier to send messages that capture attention and drive action. 

Unlike traditional 10-digit phone numbers, short codes are easy to recognize, quick to use, and perfect for high-volume messaging. Customers can effortlessly opt-in to receive promotions, updates, and alerts without the hassle of entering long phone numbers. 

While there is a cost associated with leasing a short code, the return on investment is often significant, with higher engagement and conversion rates. In this blog, we’ll explore how 6-digit short codes work, why they’re so effective, and how they can enhance your customer communications.

What are 6-digit phone numbers?

Short codes, introduced by wireless carriers in 2003, were designed to meet the growing demand for efficient mass messaging. They are 6-digit numbers specifically built for high-throughput, application-to-person (A2P) messaging, making them ideal for sending critical, time-sensitive updates like authentication codes, alerts, and promotional notifications. Unlike traditional 10-digit long codes, short codes offer:

• Faster delivery: Thousands of messages can be sent per second.
• Better prioritization: Carriers prioritize short codes, ensuring high deliverability for important updates.
• Simplified user experience: Their shorter format makes them easier to recognize and remember.

How are 6-digit numbers used?

The versatility of short codes extends across multiple industries. Here are some key applications:

Retail and E-commerce:

Businesses use short codes to announce flash sales, send discount codes, and share product updates. 

Examples:

“Text DEAL20 to 123456 to get 20% off your purchase today!”

“FLASH SALE! Text SALE to 654321 for exclusive early access to our 50% off deals.”

“Sign up for SMS alerts by texting VIP to 456789 and receive free shipping on your next order.”

Healthcare:

Appointment reminders, public health notifications, and patient engagement campaigns are made seamless with short codes. Enhance patient experiences and rapport by improving healthcare communication, reducing appointment no-shows with SMS alerts, delivering time-critical emergency health services, and optimizing public health campaigns. 

Examples:

• “Your appointment with Dr. Smith is scheduled for tomorrow at 3:00 PM. Reply YES to confirm or RESCHEDULE to change.”
• “Public Health Alert: Flu vaccine clinics now open. Text VACCINE to 789123 for locations near you.”
• “Reminder: Please fast for 12 hours before your blood test tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Questions? Text HELP to 987654.”

Finance and security:

Banks and financial institutions rely on short codes for two-factor authentication (2FA) and account activity alerts. 

Examples:

• “Your account balance is $1,234.56. For more details, text INFO to 123123.”
• “Your one-time verification code is 876543. It will expire in 5 minutes.”
• “Alert: A transaction of $500 was made on your credit card ending in 1234. Text FRAUD to 456123 if this wasn’t you.”

Logistics and transportation:

Ridesharing services and courier companies use short codes for real-time updates, such as delivery status and driver notifications. 

Examples:

“Your package will arrive today between 1 PM and 3 PM. Track it here: [link].”

“Driver Alex is 5 minutes away in a blue Toyota Camry. Text SUPPORT to 654987 if you need help.”

“Your ride to JFK Airport is confirmed. Driver John will arrive at 6:15 PM. Reply CANCEL to cancel.”

What are the advantages of 6-digit numbers?

Short codes offer many distinct advantages over traditional communication methods, revolutionizing how businesses connect with their audience. Their efficiency, reliability, and user-friendly nature make them a preferred choice for high-volume messaging campaigns. Here's a detailed breakdown of their unique benefits:

High throughput:

Short codes support the dispatch of many messages per second, a critical feature for businesses managing large-scale campaigns. Plivo’s SMS API takes this further by providing a throughput of 100 messages per second for short codes with room for scalability.

Improved deliverability:

Messages sent via short codes are prioritized by carriers, reducing the likelihood of being filtered as spam. This ensures critical notifications, such as system outages or payment confirmations, are received promptly.

Memorability and branding:

Vanity short codes (e.g., “PLIVO” or 75486) reinforce brand recognition while simplifying the user experience. Plivo’s API supports vanity short codes, ensuring seamless integration with your branding strategy.

Compliance:

Short codes are inherently TCPA-compliant when used correctly. Plivo’s opt-out handling and real-time redaction tools simplify adherence to regulations, protecting your brand from legal pitfalls.

Compliance and opt-in requirements

Navigating the regulatory landscape is crucial for any business utilizing short codes. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), explicit customer consent is required before sending promotional messages. This is typically achieved through keyword opt-ins, such as:

• A customer texting “SUBSCRIBE” to your short code.
• The customer’s agreement to your terms of communication.

Plivo’s compliance features:

• Built-in opt-out management, ensuring recipient requests like “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE” are processed automatically.
• Detailed documentation and support to guide businesses through TCPA and CTIA compliance requirements.

Types of short codes

When choosing a short code, businesses must decide between two options:

Random short codes:

Carriers assign these codes sequences of numbers provided by wireless carriers, offering businesses a cost-effective option for high-volume messaging. These codes are chosen at random, without input from the business, which makes them less personalized compared to vanity short codes. 

However, their functionality remains identical, making them an excellent choice for businesses where branding isn’t the primary focus, but reliable and efficient messaging is. For example, a logistics company sending delivery notifications or a healthcare provider sharing appointment reminders may prioritize the affordability and utility of a random short code over the memorability of a vanity code. 

Random short codes deliver the same performance benefits, such as high throughput and carrier prioritization, without the added expense of customization.

Vanity short codes

Vanity short codes are fully customizable 6-digit numbers that allow businesses to align their messaging strategy with their brand identity. These codes are typically chosen to spell out a word or phrase associated with the business, like “PLIVO” (75486), making them highly memorable for customers. The customization not only aids in recall but also builds trust and credibility by reinforcing the brand every time the code is used.

While vanity short codes are more expensive than random ones, their value lies in their ability to create a cohesive and recognizable brand experience. For instance, a retailer running nationwide loyalty programs or a media company promoting a recurring event might find the investment worthwhile to maintain a strong brand presence in every interaction.

Since the industry-wide discontinuation of shared short codes due to security concerns, dedicated short codes—whether random or vanity—have become the norm. These provide businesses with exclusive use of their short code, ensuring messages are not only delivered but also free from the risks of being flagged or associated with other entities.

How to lease and acquire a 6-digit phone number?

Leasing a short code involves navigating carrier requirements and compliance approvals. The process includes:

• Selecting a random or vanity short code based on your goals and budget.
• Completing carrier documentation, including details on message types and compliance measures.
• Testing and launching your campaigns.

This process can seem complex, but Plivo makes managing short codes effortless by providing end-to-end support, from application submission to campaign setup. With over a decade of experience, Plivo helps businesses go live with their short codes quickly and efficiently.

Integrating short codes with an SMS API

The true power of short codes lies in their integration with Plivo’s SMS API. APIs automate messaging, provide real-time analytics, and enhance scalability.

Plivo’s SMS API delivers:

• Global reach: Seamless communication across borders.
• Unicode support: Allowing businesses to send multilingual messages, including emojis.
• Message concatenation: Ensuring long messages are delivered as intended, regardless of character limits.

These advanced features enable businesses to elevate their communication strategies while maintaining operational efficiency.

Elevating communication with Plivo and short codes

Short codes are a critical asset for businesses aiming to engage customers effectively and securely. By integrating short codes with a platform like Plivo, businesses gain access to advanced features, expert guidance, and unparalleled reliability. 

From financial institutions ensuring secure transactions to retailers driving loyalty campaigns, Plivo empowers organizations to maximize the impact of their messaging.

With dedicated support and cutting-edge API solutions, Plivo is your partner in creating meaningful customer connections.

Ready to take your messaging strategy to the next level? Discover how Plivo can simplify short code integration and help your business deliver impactful, reliable communication. Connect with Plivo today to unlock a smarter way to engage your audience.

Verification is more crucial than ever, as almost 90% of businesses experience revenue losses up to 9% due to fraud, and consumers face a staggering $10 billion in losses.

For organizations expanding their digital presence, this alarming statistic underscores a crucial reality: safeguarding customer data is no longer optional—it's essential.

One of the most effective ways businesses can protect their users and themselves is through mobile phone verification. This simple yet powerful process ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive systems, preventing fraud, securing transactions, and building customer trust.

In this blog, we’ll explore the mechanics of mobile verification, its benefits, and why it’s an indispensable tool for modern businesses looking to thrive in an increasingly digitized and vulnerable world.

What exactly is mobile phone verification?

Mobile phone verification is the process of validating the authenticity of a user by confirming their ownership of a provided mobile phone number. This method stands out from other forms of verification, such as email or social media logins, due to its combination of higher security and global accessibility. Unlike email verification, which can be compromised through phishing or social logins that require specific platforms, mobile verification leverages the ubiquity of mobile phones to offer a robust and straightforward solution.

At its core, mobile verification works by sending a one-time passcode (OTP) to the user via SMS or voice call. The user enters this code to complete actions such as signing up for an account, resetting a password, or authorizing a transaction. This ensures that only individuals with access to the verified phone number can proceed, adding an essential layer of protection.

To cater to diverse security needs and user preferences, businesses can choose from various phone verification techniques. Each method offers unique advantages, enabling organizations to balance security, user experience, and operational goals. Let’s explore some of the most common approaches:

1. One-time passcodes (OTPs)

One-time passcodes (OTPs) are one of the most widely adopted methods for verifying mobile numbers. Their popularity stems from their simplicity, speed, and effectiveness in ensuring secure user authentication. Here’s how the process works:

• A user initiates an action, such as registration, login, or transaction.
• The system generates a unique, time-sensitive code and sends it to the user via SMS, voice call, or messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
• The user inputs the code to validate their identity and complete the action.

Why time-sensitivity matters: OTPs typically expire within a few minutes, adding a layer of security by limiting the window for potential misuse. Even if intercepted, an expired OTP is useless to attackers, making it a reliable option for quick, one-time validations.

2. SIM-based verification

SIM-based verification validates a user’s phone number by directly authenticating the SIM card associated with that number. Unlike OTPs, which rely on messages sent over the network, SIM-based verification works at the carrier level, making it inherently more secure and resistant to spoofing.

How it works:

• The system interacts with mobile carriers to authenticate the SIM card associated with a specific phone number.
• This method ensures that only the person in possession of the authorized SIM card can complete the verification process.

Why it’s effective:
SIM-based verification is highly reliable for high-security environments, such as financial institutions and government services. Leveraging carrier-level authentication significantly reduces the risk of phishing attacks or message interception.

3. Silent authentication

Silent authentication verifies a user’s phone number in the background, eliminating the need for manual input of codes. By leveraging carrier-level data or background API calls, it offers a frictionless user experience while maintaining robust security.

How it works:

1. The system detects and verifies the user’s phone number in the background, often through the mobile carrier or pre-installed apps on the device.
2. The user’s number is matched to the registered account without requiring them to enter a one-time passcode (OTP) manually.
3. This method ensures real-time verification with minimal user effort, enhancing convenience and reducing friction.

Key advantages:

• Frictionless experience: Users are verified seamlessly without needing to perform extra steps, which is especially valuable for apps prioritizing speed and convenience.
• Real-time validation: Ensures immediate verification, making it ideal for time-sensitive processes like transactions or app onboarding.
• Reduced errors: Eliminates the possibility of users mistyping codes, improving accuracy and reducing support queries.

4. Risk assessments and ongoing verification

Phone verification is not a one-time action but an evolving process that ensures continuous security throughout the customer lifecycle. Businesses can leverage phone number data and advanced analytics to proactively detect risks and mitigate fraud.

How it works:

1. Monitoring changes in phone status:
   Businesses can track when a number is ported, deactivated, or flagged for fraudulent activity. For instance, a newly ported number might indicate potential SIM swap fraud, prompting additional verification steps.
2. Fraud detection through behavioural analysis:
   By analyzing phone activity patterns, such as unusual login attempts or changes in geographic location, businesses can identify suspicious behaviour and take preventive action.
3. Lifecycle risk evaluation:
   Periodic re-verification of phone numbers ensures account integrity, especially during critical stages like account recovery, payment updates, or high-value transactions.

Why is mobile phone verification essential for businesses?

As digital interactions grow, businesses must prioritize security to protect their users and maintain trust. Mobile verification addresses key challenges, offering benefits that go beyond basic protection. Here’s why it’s indispensable:

1. Prevent fraud and malicious activities
   Fraud affects nearly 90% of businesses, leading to significant revenue losses. Mobile verification helps block fake registrations, prevent account takeovers, and authenticate high-value transactions. For example, a financial institution can use SMS-based OTPs to confirm withdrawals, safeguarding users from unauthorized access.
2. Build trust and loyalty
   Customers are more likely to engage with platforms that prioritize their security. Mobile verification shows your commitment to protecting sensitive data fostering trust and long-term loyalty. Businesses in e-commerce, for instance, can use phone verification during checkout to reassure users their transactions are secure.
3. Simplify regulatory compliance
   Industries like healthcare and finance must adhere to strict identity verification regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA. Mobile verification ensures compliance with minimal effort, streamlining processes like patient onboarding or payment authentication.
4. Enhance data quality and accuracy
   Verifying phone numbers ensures you’re communicating with real, reachable users. This improves the effectiveness of SMS notifications, marketing campaigns, and customer support efforts. For instance, a logistics company can reduce failed delivery updates by ensuring that only verified numbers are used.
5. Reduce costs and manual intervention
   Automated phone verification minimizes the need for manual checks, saving time and operational costs. Businesses with large user bases, such as subscription platforms, benefit from the efficiency and scalability of automated solutions.

Where does mobile phone verification add value to the customer lifecycle?

Mobile phone verification is a versatile tool that enhances security and streamlines interactions across every stage of the customer journey. Here’s how it adds value:

• Seamless account creation
  During registration, phone verification ensures that only genuine users can create accounts. By blocking bots and fake profiles, businesses can maintain a secure platform. 
• Secure profile updates
  Sensitive updates, such as changing payment details or linked email addresses, require additional security layers. Phone verification prevents unauthorized changes and reassures users that their information is protected. 
• Simplified password resets
  Losing access to an account can be stressful, but phone verification simplifies the recovery process. Users receive OTPs to reset their passwords securely, ensuring only authorized individuals can regain access. 
• Transaction authentication
  High-value transactions demand robust security. Mobile verification adds an extra layer of protection, reducing the risk of fraud. 
• Boosting re-engagement efforts
  Dormant accounts can be reactivated securely using mobile verification. Before resuming activity, users verify their phone numbers, ensuring they are legitimate account holders. 
• Personalized onboarding journeys
  Phone verification can help tailor the onboarding process to individual users, providing a secure and personalized experience. 
• Real-time fraud alerts
  Businesses can leverage phone verification to alert users of suspicious activities, such as login attempts from unrecognized devices or locations. This proactive approach enhances trust and user confidence.

What are the limitations of mobile phone verification, and how can you address them?

While mobile phone verification offers robust security, it comes with challenges that businesses must address to ensure reliability and user trust. Let’s explore the common limitations and practical solutions:

1. SIM-swap fraud
   Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities by transferring a user’s phone number to another SIM card, bypassing phone-based authentication.
   Solution:
   
   • Combine phone verification with additional security measures like device fingerprinting or behavioural analytics to detect anomalies.
   • Use adaptive multi-factor authentication (AMFA) to trigger additional checks for suspicious activities, such as logins from unknown devices or locations.
2. Message delivery issues
   Poor network connectivity, carrier restrictions, or outdated contact information can result in failed OTP deliveries, disrupting the user experience.
   Solution:
   
   • Partner with a platform like Plivo, which ensures high delivery rates through intelligent routing and fallback mechanisms (e.g., switching from SMS to voice for failed OTPs).
   • Regularly verify and update user contact information to minimize delivery errors.
3. Time-sensitive OTPs
   OTPs are often time-limited, meaning delays in delivery or user action can prevent successful verification.
   Solution:
   
   • Optimize OTP expiration windows to accommodate potential delays while maintaining security.
   • Leverage Plivo’s real-time delivery tracking tools to identify and address bottlenecks quickly.
4. Privacy concerns
   Some users may hesitate to share their phone numbers due to fears of spam or misuse.
   Solution:
   
   • Implement clear and transparent privacy policies that outline how phone numbers are stored, used, and protected.
   • Assure users of data encryption and compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA to build trust.
5. Regulatory compliance challenges
   Operating across multiple regions may expose businesses to varying compliance requirements, such as TCPA in the US or GDPR in the EU.
   Solution:
   
   • Choose a platform with built-in compliance features to ensure adherence to local regulations. For example, Plivo supports global compliance through localized number formatting and privacy-first practices.
6. Accessibility in remote areas
   In regions with poor network infrastructure, OTP delivery via SMS or voice may face delays or failures.
   Solution:
   
   • Use fallback options like email-based verification or app-based authenticators in areas where SMS delivery is unreliable.
   • Test your solution in target regions to ensure robust coverage.

By proactively addressing these challenges, businesses can maximize the effectiveness of mobile phone verification while delivering a seamless user experience.

How can businesses implement phone verification effectively?

To successfully implement mobile verification, businesses need a solution that is both reliable and scalable. Platforms like Plivo’s SMS API offer a seamless way to integrate verification processes into your applications. Here’s how Plivo makes it effortless:

• Global Reach: Send OTPs via SMS or voice calls across 220+ countries, ensuring your users can be verified no matter where they are.
• Intelligent Routing: Plivo’s advanced routing algorithms ensure optimal message delivery every time.
• Compliance & Privacy: Built-in features to meet regulatory requirements and protect sensitive user data.

Whether it’s securing user accounts, authenticating transactions, or sending critical alerts and notifications, Plivo’s SMS API provides all the tools to scale your verification efforts. Additionally, with support for multiple character sets, including emojis and non-Latin languages, you can engage users securely and reliably across the globe.

Take the next step toward secure and seamless user verification. Explore how Plivo’s SMS API can enhance your platform’s security and user engagement strategies. Get started today!

According to a 2023 study by Salesforce, 92% of customers are more likely to make repeat purchases after a positive customer service experience. Building an outstanding customer experience requires an omnichannel approach with careful attention to detail. Business phone numbers are one element of this strategy. A business phone number helps an organization convey professionalism, build trust, and communicate efficiently. 

Global VoIP services are set to grow from $158.72 billion in 2024 to $361.53 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 12.5%. As more companies turn to technology to stay connected, business phone numbers are a fundamental part of this ecosystem. These numbers provide more than just a way to make and receive calls.

The right business phone number can streamline operations and strengthen your brand's presence.

In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of business phone numbers, their benefits, and how to choose the right one for your company. 

What is a business phone number?

A business phone number is a dedicated phone line used specifically for business purposes. It's often a separate line from your personal phone number, providing a professional and easily identifiable way for customers, clients, and partners to contact your business.

A business phone number lets you keep your personal number private, using a dedicated 10-digit number for all work-related communication. 

What is the difference between personal and business phone numbers?

Unlike personal numbers, a business phone number isn’t tied to any physical location, traditional landline telephone system, or device; it's typically part of cloud-based or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems. It can be used across multiple devices and locations, and it comes with features designed to meet the demands of business communications, such as:

• Call forwarding
• Automated responses
• Integration with customer relationship management (CRM) systems

Phone numbers for businesses separate your professional and personal lives, making it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Types of business phone numbers

Each type of business phone number suits different needs. There are four main types of business phone numbers to choose from. 

Local (or fixed) numbers

Local or fixed numbers are associated with a specific geographic area or city, typically tied to a landline or fixed-location service. These numbers have area codes that identify them as belonging to a particular region, city, or country.

For example, phone numbers in the format +1 (212) xxx-xxx are Manhattan numbers, while +1 (917) xxx-xxx can be from anywhere in New York City.

Businesses often use these numbers to create a localized customer experience. These numbers are often competitively priced since you pay local rates when calling from within their designated region.

Local numbers can also be used with virtual phone systems, allowing businesses to manage calls from multiple locations through a central platform.

Toll-free numbers

Toll-free numbers, also known as freephone numbers, are designed so that the receiving party—the business—covers the cost of incoming calls, making it free for the caller.

In most countries, these numbers are identified by specific prefixes, such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833.

Businesses use toll-free numbers to give customers a free way to reach them. However, given their popularity, toll-free numbers tend to be more expensive, take more time than local numbers, and are harder to secure.

Note: Consider using toll-free numbers for marketing campaigns; they are easier to remember and can drive more calls and engagement.

Virtual business phone numbers

Virtual business phone numbers operate online and aren't tied to a specific phone line or physical location. This allows businesses to make and receive calls from anywhere using smartphones, laptops, or VoIP systems.

These numbers can be local, toll-free, or even international. They often include features such as call forwarding, voicemail, auto-attendants, and integration with other business tools.

Virtual phone numbers for businesses are popular for those that need flexibility, scalability, and the ability to manage calls from remote or distributed teams.

Note: Ensure prompt payment when you opt for virtual phone numbers; if not maintained with regular payments, they may be reassigned.

International business phone numbers

International business phone numbers help establish your presence in the global market. These numbers allow customers in different countries to contact a business without incurring international calling fees: calls are routed through a local number in the customer's country.

Depending on the region and your business needs, international phone numbers for business can be toll-free or geographic (numbers have an area code linked to a particular locality). They offer global reach without needing a physical office in each location.

Shortcode numbers

Shortcode numbers are short, easy-to-remember phone numbers typically consisting of five or six digits used primarily for SMS and MMS communications. They are ideal for marketing and promotional campaigns, allowing customers to easily interact with automated systems for information, voting, or promotions. Businesses use shortcode numbers to streamline communications and boost customer interaction.

Note: These numbers are highly effective for engaging customers and ensuring high campaign response rates.

Benefits of having a business phone number

A dedicated business telephone number presents several benefits, especially when integrated into a comprehensive business phone system. Let’s look at some of the key benefits below.

Build a strong brand image

Business phone numbers play a significant role in brand image and credibility. A dedicated business number signals that your company is established and reputable, reassuring customers that they’re dealing with a legitimate service.

Get better security and reliability

Business phone numbers can become targets for cybercriminals since they’re frequently used to transmit sensitive customer data.

But, as a result, most business phone number providers have high-level security and privacy measures in place to avoid cyberattacks, data theft, and unauthorized access. They usually hold necessary compliance certifications such as ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and SOC, ensuring your business communications are secure and reliable.

Integrate with your CRM software

Integrating your business phone system with your CRM software connects your communication channels with customer data for a more comprehensive view of each interaction.

Employees can quickly access a caller’s purchase history, support tickets, and last customer service interaction to improve issue resolution or lead capture. It also enables you to prioritize high-value callers to improve acquisition and retention.

Better call management

Business phone numbers often come as part of a complete business phone system. These systems offer advanced features to enhance call management, including:

• Conferencing
• Recording
• Forwarding
• Transcription
• Playing music or a pre-recorded message while customers are on hold

These features enhance the customer experience and help the customer support team save time. For instance, a call transcription converts a customer’s speech into text, allowing agents to scan and reference conversations quickly. Call recording provides invaluable training materials, enabling supervisors to review calls and offer personalized feedback to improve staff performance.

How to choose the right business telephone number

Choosing the right phone number for your business depends on your requirements and the type of connection you want to establish with customers. Here are a few factors to consider.

Assess your business needs

Evaluate your business needs, customer base, and the kind of presence you wish to establish. The table below provides a handy shortcut to understand which type of number best suits your business. 

Consider long-term flexibility

Opt for a solution that meets your current needs and adapts to your business's growth. Make sure that the number you choose offers:

• Scalability: Choose numbers that can scale with business growth, allowing you to switch from local to toll-free or international as needed.
• Portability: Select numbers that can be retained if you decide to switch providers.

Budget for initial and ongoing costs

There are two types of costs associated with a business telephone number. Initial costs including setup fees, equipment costs, and purchasing specific numbers. Ongoing costs encompass monthly fees, per-minute charges, and additional features.

Consider these costs to budget effectively and avoid unexpected charges that could impact your business finances. 

Understand legal and compliance requirements

Every country follows certain rules and regulations that dictate the type of business number you can choose. Confirm that the provider you decide to work with  complies with:

• Privacy laws, including data protection and customer consent laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Industry-specific regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in healthcare and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in financial services.
• Audit and documentation requirements: Does the provider maintain accurate records and regularly review them?

Set up a business telephone number in 3 steps with Plivo

Plivo provides a straightforward and efficient solution for acquiring and managing virtual numbers worldwide. With a robust CPaaS platform, your business can maximize customer engagement across various communication channels.

Plivo provides local, mobile, and toll-free numbers to enhance customer experience. 

Plivo ensures brand recognition, higher throughput and growth with mobile numbers, 10DLC (10-digit long code), short code for SMS and MMS. Also, with SPI forwarding or via responsible organizations (RespOrg) bring your own business numbers (voice) using existing phone numbers. Engineers can easily integrate Plivo with extensive documentation, SDKs, and support for various programming languages. 

Here’s how you can set up a business telephone number with Plivo in three simple steps:

1. Sign up with Plivo

Plivo offers a free trial account for you to test the platform and explore its features. If you’re already a Plivo user, log in.

2. Configure the number

Once logged in, go to your Plivo console and click “Buy Numbers.” Select the type of number you need—local, mobile, or toll-free—and choose the region it should represent.

For example, if you need a local virtual phone number for eastern Massachusetts, enter 508 as the local area code and hit “Search.” Plivo will then generate a list of available virtual phone numbers to rent. You can review the details of each number, including its support for voice, SMS, MMS, and monthly fees.

3. Set up call management features

The major benefit of using Plivo is the ability to customize settings according to your business needs.

You can set up call forwarding, call transfers, voicemail, and other features to ensure your virtual number works seamlessly.

Features of Plivo’s virtual business telephone number services

Listed below are features offered by Plivo to cater to your business needs:

• Number porting: Transfer or “port” existing phone numbers from one service provider to another without needing to change them.
• Automatic call recording: Record phone calls automatically for quality assurance, training, or legal compliance.
• Call forwarding: Redirect incoming calls to another number to ensure they are answered, even if the primary line is unavailable.
• Caller ID: Display the number (and sometimes the name) of the caller, letting recipients see who is calling before they answer.
• API verification: Use Plivo’s API to confirm user identities or validate phone numbers, often utilized for two-factor authentication (2FA) or account security.
• Number lookup: Retrieve detailed information about a phone number, including carrier, location, and type (mobile or landline), useful for segmentation and targeting.
• SMS API: Send and receive text messages programmatically via Plivo, supporting automated messaging, alerts, and notifications.
• Omnichannel contact center: Manage customer interactions across multiple channels like phone, SMS, email, social media from a unified platform to deliver consistent and efficient support.

How much do business phone numbers cost?

Plivo provides two flexible pricing models, you can either opt for competitive pay-as-you-go phone number pricing with add-on features included or an annual agreement with volume discounts, customized rates, and premium support for larger businesses as you scale. 

Review all of Plivo’s number pricing options here: Phone Number Pricing — Long Code, Toll-Free, Short Code

Conclusion

Getting a business phone number is a must for businesses of all sizes, given that it strengthens your brand image and provides credibility.

Whether you're a small business looking to establish a local presence, a growing enterprise expanding internationally, or a global company aiming to connect with more customers worldwide, the right business telephone number can make all the difference.

Request a trial with Plivo to set up and manage a business phone number with ease. With effective features like call management, CRM integration etc, Plivo offers everything you need to enhance customer interactions and support your business growth.

There are dozens of call forwarding services available, with each promising seamless routing and efficient communication.  It's challenging to know which service is right for your needs. Many offer similar features and claim to deliver reliability and flexibility for your company. 

Choosing the wrong service can lead to missed calls, unhappy customers, and lost revenue. Not all call forwarding services are created equal—some lack proper integrations, others don't offer the level of customization you require, and many have confusing pricing structures.

In this guide, we'll share the seven call-forwarding services of 2024 that are best for most businesses. We'll walk you through their key features, pricing, and why each one stands out. With this information, you can confidently select and set up a call-forwarding service. But first: let’s dive into the ins and outs of how these services work.  

What is a call forwarding service?

A call forwarding service allows you to redirect incoming calls from one phone number to another number of your choice. It is particularly useful for businesses that have multiple phone lines or virtual teams spread across different locations. 

{{cta-style-1}}

Who uses call-forwarding software?

Call forwarding software is useful for businesses that need a better way to manage incoming calls. It helps customer service and sales teams ensure that incoming customer calls are always answered by the right person or department. For multi-location companies that need to route or redirect calls based on their location, call forwarding software is a critical part of their tech stack. 

Call forwarding software is often used in the following scenarios:

• When an agent is out in the field 
• When your team is off the clock
• When the intended point of contact is away from their desk 
• When a customer has a specific query

What features to look for in a call forwarding platform?

Call forwarding platforms should help your business work smarter, not harder. As such, look for some of these features when selecting a call-forwarding service. 

• Customizable call routing: It's critical to have the capacity to develop sophisticated call routing rules that meet your company's needs. Seek out call forwarding providers that offer customizable call routing choices, such as skills-based, location-based, or time-based routing.
• IVR and auto-attendant: Interactive voice response (IVR) menus and an auto-attendant function assist callers in reaching the proper person or department, reducing customer frustration and improving call performance outcomes. 
• Multi-channel support: Consider a call forwarding service that can handle email, chat, SMS, and phone calls in addition to voice calls. This coordinated dialogue
• Call recording and analytics: Call forwarding services that include call recording and analytics provide valuable insights into customer interactions and team performance. This data can be used to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven business decisions.

7 Best call forwarding services at a glance

The call-forwarding software space has incredible platforms, but some options stand out above the rest.  At a quick glance, here are the key features, free trial availability, and reviewer ratings of the top seven call forwarding services.

A deeper look: The top 7 call forwarding software providers

1 . Plivo

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Plivo’s adaptable and feature-rich platform is one of the top-rated options for managing calls. Plivo’s Voice API provides programmatic control over call destinations, offering the flexibility to customize and manage how calls are routed. With this API, you can access: 

• Dynamic call routing: Adjust the call routing in real-time based on predefined rules, such as customer preferences, location, ring time, busy or unreachable lines, round-robin calling, or agent availability. For example, you can direct high-priority customers to specific support teams or agents. Or, if someone doesn’t pick up after 15 seconds, the call will automatically move to another representative. 
• Global reach: Route calls to numbers in over 220 countries, enabling seamless international communication without requiring complex setups.
• Failover mechanism: Implement a fallback routing system to ensure calls are always answered, even if the primary destination is unreachable.
• Interactive voice response (IVR): Create multi-level IVR systems to guide customers through automated menus and direct them to the right department based on their inputs.
• Recording and monitoring: Enable call recording for quality assurance or compliance purposes and monitor calls live to evaluate agent performance.
• Customized caller ID: Modify caller ID information to ensure a consistent and recognizable caller identity, increasing customer trust and engagement.
• Analytics and reporting: Access detailed call data and analytics to monitor call quality, duration, and routing effectiveness. Use these insights to optimize your communication strategies.

Plivo’s platform is geared towards enhancing not just efficiency but also the quality of interactions with customers through its sophisticated auto-attendant and IVR system. Additionally, its support for multiple communication channels and detailed analytics helps businesses keep their fingers on the pulse of their communication strategies.

Key features

• Customizable call routing
• Auto-attendant and IVR
• Multi-channel support
• Turnkey single-API solution 
• High deliverability
• Built-in fraud control 
• Call recording and analytics

Pricing 

Visit Plivo's website for detailed pricing information.

Free trial

Plivo offers a free trial period for users to test their services.

{{cta-style-1}}

2. Dialpad

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Dialpad’s fast set-up process provides agents with tools to manage calls more effectively and connect with customers from anywhere. Dialpad automatically forwards incoming calls to a maximum of five phone numbers. You can set rules to forward phone calls from your Dialpad number to either your mobile device, a landline, or an accessible agent.

Beyond simple call forwarding, Dialpad provides a robust communications platform. It can route calls through its intelligent system or redirect them to voicemail when agents are unavailable. Moreover, its analytical tools offer insights into communication patterns, enabling businesses to refine their strategies and continuously enhance customer interactions.

Key features

• Multiple phone numbers per account
• AI-enabled sales intelligence tools like AI-assisted sales coaching, playbooks, and interaction scoring
• Unified AI collaboration platform with voice/video calling, messaging, and meeting capabilities
• 25 ring groups (departments)

Pricing 

• Standard plan: $15 per user/month
• Pro plan: $25 per user/month
• Enterprise plan: Contact Dialpad for a custom quote

Free trial

Dialpad offers a 14-day free trial for users to evaluate their services.

3. Grasshopper

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 

Grasshopper is a simple yet powerful call-forwarding service for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need an efficient way to manage calls. The platform is intuitively designed, making it easy for less tech-savvy users to enhance their professional presence and maintain customer connectivity. 

Compile a list of call-forwarding phone numbers while ensuring you are notified of incoming calls. Grasshopper offers the flexibility to customize your call schedule and designate specific phone numbers for forwarded calls. With different plans to accommodate growth and a mobile app for on-the-go management, Grasshopper scales with your business as it grows. 

Key features

• VoIP and Wifi calling
• Custom greetings
• User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users
• Simultaneous call handling
• Mobile app for call and message management on the go

Pricing 

• Solo plan: $26 per user/month (one number + three extensions)
• Partner plan: $44 per user/month (three numbers + six extensions)
• Small business plan: $80 per user/month (five numbers + unlimited extensions)

Free trial

Grasshopper offers a seven-day free trial for users to try out their services.

4. GoTo Connect

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 

GoTo Connect is a great call-forwarding service option for small-scale or growth-stage startups. It offers a comprehensive platform that supports voice, video, and text across various devices. The call forwarding service includes automatic call attendance, chat, extensions, voicemail to audio email, SMS, and unlimited calls. 

Ideal for teams that operate both remotely and in-office, GoTo Connect ensures that every team member and client stays connected with features like HD video conferencing. It can accommodate up to 25 webcams or 250 people. Overall, the platform’s flexible pricing and ease of integration with other tools make it a preferred choice for businesses looking to streamline their communications without compromising on features or functionality.

Key features

• Unlimited users
• Unlimited call routing, automated attendants, and queues
• Unified communications across voice, video, and text
• Video meetings with up to 250 participants
• Flexible device compatibility for hybrid and remote team setups
• Easy integration with other business tools
• Scalable plan options from basic to premium features

Pricing 

• Basic plan: $24 per user/month
• Standard plan: $29 per user/month
• Premium plan: $43 per user/month

Free trial

GoTo Connect offers a 14-day free trial for users to test their services.

5. Talkdesk

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 

Talkdesk offers a range of features including the ability to forward calls to any phone, be it mobile, landline, or computer. This enables employees to work remotely and stay connected with their customers. Additionally, Talkdesk provides local and toll-free numbers that can be forwarded to agents anywhere, allowing businesses to expand their international presence. 

The platform also enables businesses to route calls to agents with specific skills or knowledge, ensuring that customers are always connected to the most appropriate agent for their needs. Finally, Talkdesk allows businesses to monitor forwarded calls for quality assurance while enabling workforce mobility. This helps businesses to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and ensure that their employees are productive and engaged.

Key features

• Cloud-based call center functionality
• Advanced analytics and real-time reporting
• High scalability to handle varying call volumes
• Power dialer
• Outbound caller ID
• Data import and synchronization

Pricing 

• CX Cloud Essentials plan: $75 per user/month
• CX Cloud Elevate plan: $95 per user/month
• CX Cloud Elite plan: $125 per user/month

Free trial

Talkdesk does not offer a free trial.

6. RingCentral

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5

RingCentral offers a comprehensive set of call-forwarding capabilities that ensure no important calls are missed. With RingCentral, you can improve the caller experience and increase agent responsiveness. Its flexible nature makes it ideal for mobile and remote employees, and its scalable infrastructure is built to handle the growth of small businesses. 

Additionally, RingCentral provides after-hours call coverage options and all-in-one cloud communication solutions, including voice, messaging, video, and fax services. It makes mobile management and configuration easy and comes with advanced virtual phone system features. RingCentral also provides international calling services and analytics and reporting tools to help you better understand your communications data.

Key features

• Unlimited users
• Unlimited auto attendants, call routing, and queues
• Video meetings with up to 150 participants
• Strong integration with business applications
• Modular design that grows with your business

Pricing 

• Essentials plan: $19.99 per user/month
• Standard plan: $27.99 per user/month
• Premium plan: $34.99 per user/month
• Ultimate plan: $49.99 per user/month

Free trial

       RingCentral offers a 14-day free trial for users to test their services. 

7. 8x8

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 

The cloud communications platform from 8x8 is a comprehensive solution that integrates voice, video, chat, and contact center capabilities. It offers customizable call forwarding and transfer rules that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the users, making it a flexible and mobile solution. Businesses can work from anywhere, including remotely or from home, to stay connected to their customers and colleagues. 

The platform also enables businesses to improve their customer experience by easily transferring calls to the right person to handle a customer query. Additionally, the platform provides advanced call routing options including ring groups to ensure that calls are routed to the appropriate team members in a timely manner.

Key features

• Caller ID, blocking, and do not disturb
• Call waiting and parking
• Three-way calling
• Competitive pricing suited for SMEs

Pricing 

• Express plan: $15 per user/month
• X2 plan: $24 per user/month
• X4 plan: $44 per user/month

Free trial

8x8 provides a 30-day free trial for users to evaluate their services.

How to choose the right call forwarding service for your business

The call forwarding service you choose impacts a substantial part of your customer (and employee) experience. Consider the following factors when making your decision.

1. Business needs: Assess your business requirements and identify the specific features and capabilities you need from a call forwarding service. Consider factors such as the number of users, flexibility, multi-channel support, and software integrations.
2. Budget: Look into your budget and choose a call forwarding service that fits within your financial capabilities. Consider not only the monthly subscription fees but also any additional costs for extra features or usage.
3. User experience: Test the user interface and evaluate the ease of use of the call forwarding service. A user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation will save time and reduce the learning curve for your team.
4. Reliability and support: Look for a call forwarding service with a reputation for reliable performance and strong customer support. Uptime guarantees, security features, and the responsiveness of its support staff are crucial.
5. Integration capabilities: Test and explore the integration capabilities of your call forwarding service with other tools and platforms your business relies on. CRM systems, help desk software, and other communication tools that can be integrated are likely to enhance productivity and ensure a smooth operation.

Free trials help you make an informed decision and choose the right call-forwarding service that aligns with your business goals and requirements.

Get started with Plivo

Plivo consistently stands out for its robust features and reliable service. Whether you're looking to enhance your customer service, streamline your communications, or simply manage calls more efficiently, Plivo offers a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that can adapt to your business’s unique needs. 

Request for a free trial today.

Phone number verification is the easiest way to ensure a phone number is legitimate. It simply entails sending a verification code via SMS or a phone call and getting a response back. You don’t need a complex or expensive tool to do this. 

Phone number verification APIs automate this process, making it a breeze for businesses of all sizes to verify contact information. Plug these APIs into mobile apps, CRM systems, and websites to verify numbers during sign-ups, logins, or data updates. 

This guide includes seven of the best phone number verification APIs in 2024 that offer features designed to support your business needs. We’ll break down the pros and cons of the platforms you’ve likely considered but haven’t had the opportunity to explore deeper. Read on to learn what makes each solution unique and pricing plans. 

Benefits of a phone number verification API

Phone verification has been used for decades by companies globally. The need for verification is fundamental: businesses rely on accurate customer phone numbers for critical processes logging in, making transactions, and setting passwords. 

Phone numbers also strengthen the brand/customer relationship. Companies rely on phone numbers to deliver important marketing messages, promotions, and announcements. If a number isn’t valid, the customer will never see your marketing efforts, wasting your time and resources. 

{{cta-style-1}}

Phone number verification can help with both business-critical processes and marketing outreach. Here are the core benefits of using a phone number verification API: 

Improved data accuracy and quality

A phone number verification API ensures the contact information in your database is accurate and up-to-date. This means errors caused by fake or mistyped numbers. Your communications campaigns will reach their intended recipients. 

Enhanced customer experience

Customers use their phones to get all kinds of alerts – from order status updates to, special promotions and discounts. A phone number verification API helps ensure that all your customers enter a valid and active phone number to get messages that elevate their experience. 

Reduced fraud and spam

Some of the most common cyberattacks include phishing and spamming. Both of these methods rely on customer information. A phone number verification API helps identify and block fraudulent and spam numbers, protecting your business and customers from malicious activities.

Cost savings on undeliverable messages

Sending messages to invalid phone numbers can quickly become a significant overhead cost. Removing invalid phone numbers before you waste money trying to reach them helps improve your ROI and budget your resources more efficiently. 

Features to look for in a phone number verification API

As you look for the best phone number verification APIs, keep an eye out for these features to help you find the right fit. 

1. Real-time validation: Ensure the API provides instant validation to verify numbers as they are entered, improving accuracy and user experience.
2. Easy to use and navigate: Consider a phone number verification API that offers a clean, intuitive interface. This will reduce the implementation time for your developers and make day-to-day ops easier. 
3. Global reach and coverage: Look for an API that supports phone numbers from multiple countries so you can operate internationally without any hassle. 
4. Integration capabilities: The API should easily integrate with your existing systems, providing a seamless setup process and compatibility with your tech stack.
5. Detailed reporting and analytics: Choose an API that offers comprehensive reports and analytics to monitor verification processes, understand patterns, and make informed decisions.
6. Scalability and reliability: Ensure the API can handle large volumes of requests and maintain high uptime, especially during peak times, to support your business growth.

Top 7 phone number verification APIs: at a glance

The table below provides a quick overview of the best phone number verification APIs.

Top 7 phone number verification APIs

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the top seven phone number verification APIs you should consider. 

1. Plivo

Plivo is one of the most advanced customer engagement tools on the market. Its Verify API is designed for effortless verification with robust fraud control features that protect you against phishing and SMS pumping attacks. 

Plivo’s free Fraud Shield is one of the most attractive features in its API offering. It understands the customers' usage patterns and automatically adjusts the thresholds across countries. Plivo Verify also offers built-in reporting that helps you assess your cost savings by preventing fraud attacks. 

The best part? Plivo delivers the lowest cost per verification among top-rated solutions on the market. There are zero authentication fees and you only pay for SMS and voice charges. Use Plivo’s pre-registered phone numbers and avoid monthly phone number rental fees. In addition, there’s no compliance fee, meaning you eliminate overhead costs associated with compliance registrations. 

With Plivo, ready-made message templates are pre-approved and designed to increase conversions. Plivo Verify offers a 95% OTP conversion rate. We’re rated highly for support with extensive documentation that helps teams get started in five minutes or less. 

Pros

• Best-in-class, built-in fraud protection for free
• High deliverability and accuracy rates support a 95% OTP conversion rate
• Go live in 220+ countries in five minutes or less
• 99.99% uptime SLAs available, plus comprehensive support and premium 24-hour customer service
• Low cost per conversion
• Channel flexibility: send OTPs using SMS, voice & WhatsApp

Cons

• Pricing may be higher for small businesses

Pricing

• Base pricing: $0 verification fee. Pay only the standard fee per channel. See detailed SMS and Voice pricing. 
• Volume pricing: Contact the sales team to get the best pricing. 

{{cta-style-1}}

2. Numlookup API

Numlookup API is a simple and quick solution for phone number verification. It automates the process by checking carrier information and the status of phone numbers. On its free tier, you can send 100 requests monthly—suitable for smaller businesses that are building their customer base and testing the waters. 

When it comes time to scale, and you need an unlimited amount of API connections, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. Paid users get premium support. Numlookup API guarantees a 24-hour turnaround time for their paid customers. Along with this, they also boast 100% uptime in the last 90 days for all customers. 

Pros:

• Quick and easy to implement; designed for small businesses 
• Provides worldwide coverage for global phone numbers
• Quick lookup with detailed carrier and status information
• SDKs for the most popular languages (Python, Ruby, Node.js, and PHP)

Cons:

• Free tier rate limits are hit quickly 
• Lacks additional features like email or IP address validation
• Limited to basic phone number lookup without advanced functionalities​

Pricing 

• Free plan: The free tier allows up to 100 requests at 10 requests/minute
• Small plan: Starts at $9.99/month for up to 7000 requests
• Medium plan: Starts at $44.99/month for up to 65,000 requests 
• Large plan: Starts at $89.99/month for up to 300,000 requests
• Custom plan: For more requests, you need to contact their team

3. Neutrino API

Neutrino is designed as a general-purpose API, offering tools such as bad word filter, email validation, phone number validation, phone playback, SMS verification, phone verification, and more. 

Their phone number verification API allows you to parse, validate, and get location information for a phone number. You can identify the general user agent type, and device features, such as the brand, model, and OS. Additionally, it supports verification for both local and international phone numbers and includes fraud detection features. 

Pros:

• Quick and easy to get started
• Offers various validation services including phone, email, and IP address
• Very affordable 

Cons:

• Poorly designed interface which can be confusing 
• Lack of documentation can make integration difficult
• Tech support is available only via an online contact form or email

Pricing 

Free Trial – With its free plan, you can explore its all features.

• Tier 1: Neutrino API starts at $10/month for up to 10,000 requests per day
• Tier 2: Starts at $50/month for 100,000 requests per day
• Tier 3: Starts at $250/month for 1M requests per day

4. Vonage Verify API

Vonage is an advanced platform that offers a dedicated Verify API to easily validate customers across the world at scale. It provides multiple authentication channels including SMS, voice (TTS), WhatsApp, email, and Silent Authentication, allowing you to authenticate your customers based on their preferences. They do the heavy lifting for you including fraud monitoring, failover, OTP generation, and sender ID management. 

One of the standout features of Vonage is its fraud detection, which is designed to prevent expensive unauthorized transactions. It automatically triggers step-up authentication for suspicious numbers and uses up-to-date phone number intelligence to identify fraudulent transactions. Additionally, Vonage offers global text-to-speech (TTS), intelligent failover, adaptive routing, and flexible implementation. 

Pros:

• Reliable verification with detailed carrier information
• Highly versatile, providing phone, email, and WhatsApp verification
• Easy integration with robust documentation

Cons:

• Per-request pricing may become expensive with high-volume
• May require technical knowledge for the initial setup

Pricing 

• Verify conversion plan: Pricing per API call starts at $0.005 per request for number lookup.
• Verify success plan: Contact their sales team for a custom price 

5. Abstract API

Abstract offers a library of APIs for an array of processes; email validation, IP geolocation, company enrichment, public holidays, phone validation, link shortener, image processing, weather API, and more. 

If you’re looking for a comprehensive solution or have needs beyond just phone number verification, then Abstract is a great solution. But if your needs are limited, you might want to consider a more straightforward tool. 

Regarding phone number validation, it supports over 190 countries and guarantees a 99.99% uptime SLA with 24/7 customer support via email, chat, and phone.

Pros:

• Easy and quick to get started
• Offers a free-for-life tier 
• Global coverage suitable for international operations
• Easy setup with user-friendly documentation

Cons:

• Potentially higher costs compared to single-purpose APIs​
• Customer support is reviewed as subpar 
• Accuracy is questionable 

Pricing 

• Free plan: The free tier allows up to 250 API calls per month.
• Paid plan: Starts at $17/month for up to 30,000 requests per year, with higher tiers available.

6. Byteplant

BytePlant provides multiple solutions: address validator, email validator, phone validator, and anti-spam. Its phone validation API supports 240 countries and offers real-time phone validation, phone list cleaning, and a 30-day money-back guarantee (no questions asked). 

BytePlant integrates well with platforms such as Salesforce and Mailchimp and ensures secure data transmission with industry-standard encryption. The API is designed to handle large volumes of requests, making it suitable for businesses with high validation needs.

Pros:

• Real-time phone number verification
• High accuracy with international and national number validation
• Secure data transmission with industry-standard encryption

Cons:

• Monthly credit costs can be high for small businesses
• Limited free tier, encouraging quick transition to paid plans​

Pricing 

• Pricing: Monthly credits cost around $390/month for up to 10,000 requests.
• Paid plan: Pay-as-you-go option available.

7. Mocean

Mocean’s Verify API specializes in phone number lookup and SMS verification services. It supports real-time phone number validation and provides detailed data about the phone number, including carrier and line type. 

‍

It comes with features like intelligent failover, adaptive routing, and flexible charging. Mocean's API is easy to integrate and supports multiple programming languages. The service is ideal for businesses focused on SMS marketing, providing secure data handling with robust encryption.

Pros:

• Pay-as-you-go pricing model for cost efficiency
• Provides both phone number lookup and SMS verification
• Secure data handling with robust encryption

Cons:

• Pricing can add up with high usage
• Limited free tier compared to competitors

Pricing 

• Pricing: Pay-as-you-go pricing starts at $0.0037 per request for phone number lookup.
• Paid plan: $0.0138 per SMS verification sent.

Get started with Plivo today 

Choosing the right phone number verification API involves considering key factors. Start by understanding your business’s needs and goals, listing out specific of your must-have and nice-to-have features like customization, global presence, and customer support. 

‍
Think Plivo might be the perfect API for your verification needs? Find out today with a trial. 

Recent advancements in voice call technology have been a double-edged sword. While they have introduced numerous benefits for businesses, this technology has also opened the door to new types of fraud. 

One common method scammers use is fake caller ID spoofing. This crime is designed to deceive recipients into believing they are communicating with a trusted source — such as a business, bank, or government agency. This tactic not only aims to gather sensitive data for identity theft but also to defraud individuals. 

Many businesses that rely on phone calls to connect with customers are facing high levels of distrust. Caller ID spoofing makes customers suspicious of all calls, not just the ones they should be wary of. This practice has eroded trust in voice calls and made life difficult for business owners. 

It’s important for both businesses and consumers to understand how these scams work and how to protect against them. Together, we can help restore trust in business communication and ensure that legitimate businesses can effectively make voice calls.

What is number spoofing (caller ID spoofing)?

Caller ID spoofing occurs when someone manipulates the caller ID feature to trick a call recipient into thinking a call is coming from a familiar, credible source—when it might not be. Spoofing aims to convince victims to reveal personal information or otherwise mislead a target into taking a compromising action. 

What are the significant risks to both consumers and businesses?

Phone spoofing poses significant risks to both consumers and businesses, impacting trust and operational efficacy in several ways.

1. Erosion of customer trust

One of the most significant impacts is the erosion of customer trust. Fraudsters can deceive customers by impersonating a business's phone number, thereby tricking a target into believing the call is from a real representative. The customer may reveal personal or financial information later used to commit fraud. If a customer falls prey to these scams, it can cause others to lose trust in your company and sever ties with your brand.

2. Damage to the brand reputation

Caller ID spoofing may damage the brand's reputation, as it links the company's name to negative experiences. Even if a business is not responsible for fraud, misuse of its phone number or unwanted calls to customers can lead to bad publicity and damage to its image. Rehabilitating the company's reputation takes significant time and resources. 

3. Lower the effectiveness of your communication campaigns

When people are alert to potential scams, they may be less responsive to legitimate business outreach. This apprehensiveness can decrease the effectiveness of telemarketing campaigns, appointment reminders, customer service follow-ups, and other voice-based communications. It may be harder to reach customers to convey important information.

4. Legal and compliance risks

If businesses frequently use spoofed caller IDs, they could face regulatory scrutiny. This is particularly true for industries that heavily regulate consumer data protection, such as finance and healthcare. Businesses have an obligation to implement stronger verification and security measures, which can add to operational costs.

5. Increased customer service challenges

Dealing with fraudulent calls can take up resources that would be better spent in other service areas. Businesses then have to manage customer complaints and concerns, which can further detract from their ability to provide quality service.

How does caller ID spoofing work?

Caller ID spoofing uses various technologies such as traditional spoofing services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and techniques like orange boxing. Let's explore how these methods work and their potential impact.

Spoofing services: How they operate

Spoofing services function similarly to prepaid calling cards. They allow users to present a different spoofed phone number or name on the recipient's caller ID than the actual number from which they are calling. 

Here's how this process typically works: 

1. Customers pay for the service upfront and receive a personal identification number (PIN).
2. To initiate a spoofed call, the user dials a number provided by the service, enters their PIN, and then inputs the desired outgoing call number along with the caller ID they wish to display.

This method not only masks the caller's true identity but also allows for extensive manipulation. Users can input any number or name they choose to show up on the caller ID display.

Voice over IP spoofing: A digital facade

VoIP technology uses the internet to make calls, bypassing traditional phone lines. This flexibility makes VoIP technology especially vulnerable to spoofing. Scammers exploit VoIP to manipulate caller ID information seen by the receiver, making it appear as though the incoming call is coming from a legitimate source, such as a bank, government agency, or known contacts. This method can be used to impersonate legitimate services or contacts. 

Orange boxing: Advanced caller ID manipulation 

Orange boxing involves more sophisticated technology to intercept and alter caller ID signals. This method uses either software or hardware to fake the caller ID that appears during an incoming call. Historically, this method required in-depth telephony knowledge and expensive equipment. However, recent advancements in open-source software have significantly lowered the barrier to entry for orange boxing, making it accessible to a wider range of individuals with minimal technical expertise.

How to tell if a phone number is spoofed 

There are a few telltale signs that a phone number is spoofed. Numbers you don’t recognize, suspicious caller IDs, or unusual greetings when you answer the phone are all signs it could be a scammer. If a caller uses a robot or pre-recorded voice and requests personal information, you should be on alert that it could be a spoof attempt. Legitimate companies or organizations rarely ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords over the phone. Likewise, scammers often use urgency to pressure you into action. Be suspicious of calls demanding immediate payment or personal information.

How to stop someone from spoofing your number

Unfortunately, there's no foolproof way to completely stop someone from spoofing your phone number. However, here are some steps you can take to minimize the risk and mitigate the damage. 

• Use a call-blocking feature: Explore call-blocking options that can help filter out calls from unknown numbers, suspected spammers, and even specific regions. 
• Keep your device secure: Always update your phone’s operating system, and consider installing a third-party call-blocking app. These apps can analyze incoming calls, identify potential spammers, and block unwanted calls. 
• Review your privacy settings: Check the privacy settings on your social media accounts and other online platforms to limit the sharing of your phone number.

Stay informed: Be aware of common spoofing tactics, such as urgent requests, demands for personal information, and offers that seem too good to be true.

How to recognize spoofed calls

Recognizing phone number spoofing is critical for businesses. Here are some common indicators that can indicate call spoofing. 

• Displays a sense of urgency: Caller ID spoofing often comes with a high-pressure aspect, forcing one to act immediately. The caller may claim to be from a government agency, bank, or law enforcement and require that the consumer has to do something right away to fix some supposed problem or face some other serious repercussions. This, in spoof calls, is a tactic to push customers into decisions without giving time for thought or the possibility of checking the identity of the caller’s number.
• Requests for personal information: No legitimate companies solicit personal information from customers over soliciting phone calls, like their social security number, bank account numbers, and passwords. This is precisely what spoofers want for extracting valuable personal data for their fraudulent purpose.
• Display name doesn’t match your stored contact: If the caller ID displays a name or number that you recognize, but does not match the details stored in your contacts, it could be a sign of number spoofing. For example, you might get an incoming call where the caller ID indicates it's from your bank, but the number shown is different from the one you have saved. This discrepancy should prompt you to hang up and call back using a number you trust.
• Robocalls: Calls with pre-recorded messages are known as robocalls. They deliver an automated pre-recorded voice message and are often legal and take place with the customer’s consent. However, many times, spoofed calls can also be automated or have pre-recorded messages where the receiver is prompted to press buttons or give personal information out. This may range from messages on winning to debt collection or even messages that threaten legal action. 

Additional Tips to Recognize Number Spoofing

• Inconsistencies in Information: Any discrepancy between the information provided by the caller and the company’s records should be a red flag.
• Verify caller authenticity: Encourage employees to verify the caller by hanging up and contacting the company or individual directly using a known and trusted number.‍
• Use caller ID management tools: Implementing advanced caller ID management tools and spam detection software can help filter out potential spoofing attempts.

By being aware of these signs and using cautious judgment, you can protect yourself from falling victim to number spoofing.

How to avoid spoofing

Spoofing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. To avoid them takes constant vigilance and the proper precautions. 

The best way to avoid phone number spoofing is to screen unknown calls. If you don’t recognize a number or a caller ID, let the call go to voicemail. Even trusted caller IDs can be mimicked by scammers; therefore, never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords, in response to an unsolicited call.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call back the number you know to be legitimate. And, if you receive a suspicious communication, try to verify the information independently. Don't rely solely on the information provided in the communication.

How does number spoofing impact businesses?

Number spoofing poses a serious threat a company’s finances, operations, and overall success. One of the biggest risks is to a company’s reputation: when scammers spoof a business's phone number to carry out fraudulent, it directly damages customer trust in the brand. This damage can have significant long-term effects beyond financial losses. 

There are other direct and indirect financial concerns that spoofing raises. When customers fall victim to scams, they can agree to unauthorized payments or lose sensitive data that costs the company to recover. Dealing with the aftermath of a spoofing incident, such as customer service inquiries, legal issues, and the implementation of security measures, can also be expensive.

Likewise, spoofing attacks can disrupt business operations. For example, a large volume of spam calls can overwhelm customer service lines, hindering legitimate customer interactions.  

And finally, businesses can face legal and regulatory consequences if they are perceived as being involved in spoofing activities, even if they are not directly responsible. You may be liable for fines and lawsuits due to regulatory noncompliance.

How to prevent number spoofing scams with Plivo

The right tools can also help you prevent phone number spoofing scams from targeting your customers.

Plivo plays a crucial role by providing secure and reliable communication services. Our platform adheres to industry standards and regulations to combat fraudulent activities. The platform offers features like number verification, authentication, and compliance with STIR/SHAKEN protocols, ensuring caller ID information's integrity and protecting against spoofing.

Using Plivo's infrastructure, businesses can secure their communication channels, safeguard their customers from spoofing attempts, and uphold their brand reputation. Product managers can address security vulnerabilities and improve customer protection by monitoring communication traffic. 

With Plivo’s API, developers can integrate anti-spoofing measures such as number verification and authentication protocols into their systems and ensure the security of inbound and outbound communications.

How does Plivo help businesses combat number spoofing? 

Plivo plays a crucial role by providing secure and reliable communication services. Our platform adheres to industry standards and regulations to combat fraudulent activities. The platform offers features like number verification, authentication, and compliance with STIR/SHAKEN protocols, ensuring caller ID information's integrity and protecting against spoofing. 

Using Plivo's infrastructure, businesses can secure their communication channels, safeguard their customers from spoofing attempts, and uphold their brand reputation. Product managers can address security vulnerabilities and improve customer protection by monitoring communication traffic. 

With Plivo’s API, developers can integrate anti-spoofing measures such as number verification and authentication protocols into their systems and ensure the security of inbound and outbound communications. 

STIR/SHAKEN

‍STIR/SHAKEN stands for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited (STIR) and Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs (SHAKEN). These technical standards are developed to enhance caller ID information trust by authenticating calling numbers. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates that carriers adopt these standards to combat robocalling and ensure that the displayed caller number and name are accurate. In this system, digital certificates issued by a secure telephony identity (STI) governance authority verify that a calling party is indeed who they claim to be, using a process similar to digital data signing. This video explains STIR/SHAKEN in greater detail. 

Plivo assists businesses in implementing STIR/SHAKEN to secure their communication channels. Plivo users can sign outgoing calls, ensuring the right level of caller ID attestation. This helps increase the likelihood of calls being answered by providing recipients with verified caller information. 

Plivo also verifies the attestation levels for incoming calls on its platform, allowing businesses and their customers to make informed decisions about answering calls. Customers must submit their business details and the phone numbers they wish to use, enabling Plivo to determine and assign the appropriate attestation levels based on these verifications. 

This comprehensive support from Plivo’s compliance operations team facilitates seamless integration of STIR/SHAKEN protocols, which aim to prevent deceptive practices such as caller ID spoofing and build trust in telecommunication environments.

Number verification

Plivo’s Verified Caller ID enables customers to authenticate their phone numbers with Plivo before using them as caller IDs for outbound calls. 

Verified Caller ID allows businesses to confirm that calls are made using authorized numbers and caller IDs they possess, thus preventing any calls being made with a spoofed caller ID. 

Customers can complete this verification process manually through the user-friendly console interface or programmatically using automated workflows via the new API endpoints. 

Get started with Plivo today 

Unfortunately, the rise of advanced technologies has made it easier for scammers to exploit phone systems, making it non-negotiable for companies to adopt stronger measures to protect themselves and their customers.

Plivo is here to help.  Plivo offers robust, industry-leading tools designed to help businesses secure their communication channels against spoofing and other types of fraud. By leveraging powerful authentication and monitoring solutions, Plivo ensures that your business communications remain safe and your customer interactions are genuine.

‍Get started with Plivo today.

Whether you run a food and grocery delivery service, a ride-hailing app, or a marketplace where you need to call your customers regularly creating a customer experience is a top priority. 

Phone number masking is a tool that allows these business types to design customer-centric communications that prioritize privacy and security, improving customer satisfaction and building trust in your business. 

But how do you implement phone number masking? What are the benefits of call masking? And, is it worth the effort and resources? 

In this guide, we’ll answer all of these questions and help you choose the right service provider for your call masking needs. 

What are masked phone numbers? 

Masked phone numbers, also known as anonymized, proxied, or cloaked phone numbers, conceal participants' personal phone numbers and anonymize communication between multiple parties. 

Instead of directly calling from one phone number to another, users communicate through a third-party "proxy" phone number that forwards the call to the desired destination. To build familiarity and affinity, you can even opt for a specific area code local to a particular state, territory, or region. 

How does call masking protect your number?

Phone number masking often includes features such as call routing, caller ID protection, call duration limits, and encryption, adding layers of security and privacy. This setup achieves several goals at once. 

Firstly, it prevents the parties' numbers from being exposed to one another by using a temporary virtual number as a bridge between the caller and the recipient. Vendors can automatically discontinue communication once a transaction or service is completed, ensuring that all parties involved are secure. 

Second, number masking allows companies to monitor and control communication for quality and security purposes. By routing calls through a controlled environment, you can monitor conversations for compliance with service standards like GDPR, resolve disputes by reviewing call records, and detect any fraudulent activities. 

With reliable masking providers like Plivo, you can also accelerate your go-to-market time with an off-the-shelf, packaged API solution and implement masking within a day. The feature-rich platform provides robust logic that facilitates two-way calling and phone number reuse. Additionally, the advanced infrastructure ensures high call quality and minimal call drops, ensuring your customer experience is on-point. 

6 benefits of using phone number masking API

Let’s take a look at six of the biggest problems call masking solutions solve for business: 

1. Ensure privacy and security of both customers and vendors

By masking phone numbers, you can build trust with your customers and vendors and ensure the safety of their personal information. Call masking keeps numbers private and secure from unauthorized access—spam calls, fraudulent websites, and others. 

2. Prevent platform leakage

Platform leakage occurs when buyers and sellers bypass the marketplace to avoid platform fees and obtain better deals by communicating directly to complete a transaction. 

Phone number masking adds a layer of protection that discourages users from taking their transactions off your platform. It anonymizes and conceals sensitive information to protect user privacy while preserving the data's functionality. 

3. Uphold the brand reputation

Call masking makes business representatives and customers feel secure knowing their personal information isn’t exposed to strangers. This reduces the risk of a privacy breach or unwanted contact post-transaction (i.e., contact once the cab ride is over). 

Call masking also reinforces the brand’s role as a trustworthy intermediary, making customers more likely to continue using the service. 

4. Get enhanced data insights for better decision-making

Plivo offers streamlined data analysis and reporting of your call masking operations. Simplifying key information allows Plivo users to set the stage for higher rates of adoption, impact customer loyalty, and increase revenue. 

5. Go global in a cost-effective way

Expanding to new markets is tough. It’s often resource-intensive and expensive to comply with local regulations and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) while building trust with local customers. 

Partnering with a trusted phone number masking provider like Plivo can also reduce the risk of unintentional violations that could be costly or damage your business’s reputation. 

6. Enhance your customer experience 

Call masking makes business interactions feel safer for customers by combining security and streamlining customer service. 

For instance, a food delivery service can use anonymized virtual numbers to facilitate communication between customers and delivery drivers without revealing personal phone numbers. 

This setup ensures customers can easily resolve any issues with their delivery, such as providing directions, without compromising their privacy. Such a seamless and secure communication management process enhances the overall customer experience, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Benefits of number masking for your business

Businesses across industries can benefit from number masking. This solution helps build trust with customers, improves security and compliance, and can help your company run more efficiently. 

From a consumer standpoint, number masking protects phone numbers from unauthorized access, minimizing unwanted calls and SMS in the process. These solutions demonstrate a commitment to data privacy, something that helps build brand loyalty. 

Number masking helps companies mitigate the risk of fraud while complying with data privacy regulations, including GDPR and CCPA. Number masking safeguards customer identities as well as employee contact information — especially useful in industries like real estate or sales, where professionals frequently use their personal devices for work purposes. 

It also helps companies work more efficiently. Number masking solutions optimize call distribution and management, reducing the need for multiple phone lines. These solutions can also provide insights into call performance and customer behavior.

How to mask your phone number with Plivo?

Plivo's Number Masking API makes it significantly easier and faster for companies to set up phone number masking, cutting out 80% of the in-house development steps required by non-packaged solutions. 

Plivo’s Voice API allows you to seamlessly manage call flow and assign virtual phone numbers. Simply send the real phone numbers of the parties involved in the call via an API request. Plivo will then respond with a virtual number from your account, which you can use to host the masked session.

Plivo’s API simplifies the process and adopts a straightforward pricing model flat per-session fee, with no variable components such as call rates or phone number rentals. 

You can implement phone number masking with Plivo in just two steps.

To begin, you'll need a Plivo account — register using your work email if you haven't already done so. 

You must have a voice-enabled Plivo phone number to create number masking sessions. You can lease numbers through the Numbers section on the Plivo console or the Numbers API.

Step 1: Get a phone number on the Plivo console 

Step 2: Complete a single API integration 

How different types of businesses use call masking?

Number masking benefits businesses in many different industries. Here are a few examples of enterprises that use number masking in their daily operations.

Ride-hailing apps

Apps like Uber rely extensively on phone number masking to keep both drivers and passengers' phone numbers private. 

When a driver and passenger need to communicate about a ride, such as confirming a pickup location or sharing arrival updates, the app provides a temporary number for their communication. 

Marketplaces that connect buyers and sellers

India’s e-commerce market is one of the fastest growing globally. E-commerce marketplaces are responsible to both buyers and sellers for ensuring the trust and safety of both parties’ communication.

Phone number masking helps do just that. When a buyer wants to inquire about an item, the marketplace can provide a temporary number for the buyer and seller to communicate. 

This maintains the anonymity of both parties' real contact details until they decide to share more information, reducing the risk of scams and unwanted contacts. 

E-commerce delivery and Logistics

The need for security in e-commerce doesn’t stop at the marketplace level. E-commerce brands need a way to ensure the delivery experience meets customer expectations; partly, this can be achieved by integrating security throughout the transaction including phone calls made during the time of delivery. 

Call masking allows customers to contact delivery agents without revealing their personal phone numbers, and vice versa. 

Healthcare service providers

Number masking can help healthcare organizations comply with HIPAA regulations by safeguarding patient information. Masking patient phone numbers prevents unauthorized access to personal data, minimizing the risk of patient identity theft. Likewise, masking numbers can contribute to better patient care: offering a way to mask a patient’s number can alleviate anxiety about receiving calls from healthcare providers, especially in sensitive cases.

Real estate businesses

Real estate agents often use their personal phone numbers to get in touch with clients. Number masking protects the health and safety of individual agents by keeping those numbers private. Number masking helps agents maintain a healthy boundary between work and personal life, shielding them from unwanted calls or harassment. 

Financial service providers

Banks, lenders, and creditors use highly sensitive personal information; number masking can be a valuable tool for protecting the identities of both customers and employees. Masked numbers can help prevent scammers from obtaining customer phone numbers, reducing the risk of fraudulent activities like SIM swapping or phishing attacks. Likewise, reducing the exposure of employee contact information helps safeguard sensitive internal data. Number masking can also help financial institutions be compliant with PCI DSS regulations.

Get started with Plivo’s number masking API

Lack of security and trust can be frustrating for business owners and consumers alike, but there are certain communications you can use to build affinity and reduce costs. 

At Plivo, our enterprise-ready premium communications network has a 99.99% uptime. With our global reach supporting communications to 190+ countries, we help our customers cast a wider net globally—minus the legwork and hefty costs associated with infrastructure setup. Sign up for a free trial with Plivo today and get started.

‍

If you’re planning a high-volume marketing campaign, you can save money by ensuring that the numbers you’re trying to reach are active and able to receive text messages. Number lookup can uncover deactivated numbers, landline numbers, and mobile numbers that can’t receive SMS.

Plivo introduced the Lookup API in 2020 to allow customers to programmatically determine information for any phone number worldwide. The Lookup API can also properly format numbers for use with our other APIs; improperly formatted numbers can cause calls and messages to fail. Number lookups also make economic sense in many regions, where the cost of a number lookup is less than the cost of sending a text.

What is number lookup?

You might be familiar with number lookup in the context of a reverse directory lookup, where, instead of finding a phone number for a name, you use the phone number to find out details about the person or business using it.

In the context of Plivo APIs, the Lookup API returns the phone number country, the number format, its carrier, and its type: fixed (landline), mobile, VoIP, or toll-free. Type is especially useful, as most landline numbers and many VoIP and toll-free numbers can’t accept SMS messages.  CPaaS platforms charge a fraction of a cent for every message sent, whether a number can accept SMS or not, so it’s worthwhile to eliminate invalid numbers from your target list.

For mobile numbers, the Lookup API relies on the Home Location Register, a global database that contains information about authorized subscribers to GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) networks. Fields returned include the mobile country code (MCC), mobile network code (MNC), and carrier name. These values map to fields of a unique ID for all mobiles phones — an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is associated with the SIM in the phone. The first three digits of the IMSI represent the MCC. The next two or three numbers represent the MNC. The remaining digits represent the Mobile Subscription Identification Number (MSIN) within the mobile operator’s customer base, a unique number that the carrier uses to identify a user’s mobile phone number.

Though it sounds as if the MSIN should be a subscriber’s mobile phone number, it’s not necessarily. When a subscriber changes their phone number, for example, they keep their original MSIN.

Lookup use cases

Number lookup can keep your business from wasting time and money sending text messages or making voice calls to invalid numbers or ones that have no value for your organization.

• Marketing — By looking up numbers and purging invalid ones from your database, you can save money by not contacting invalid numbers, and get higher response rates by eliminating the bad numbers before you reach out.
• Shipping and delivery — Number lookups confirm the validity of a customer’s contact phone, and while it can’t confirm a delivery address, it can serve as a first line of defense against fraud.
• Security — Many organizations use SMS to send one-time passwords to improve login security through two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s prudent to make sure that the numbers customers provide for this critical step are both valid and reachable. A similar argument applies to numbers supplied for logins to mobile apps.

Lookup on the Plivo console

While most people access it via code as part of their applications, you can do one-off lookups from the console. In the spirit of the console tours we did for SMS and voice, here’s a similar look at Lookup.

The Lookup Overview page is the fourth icon on the Plivo console menu. It displays a single screen.

A usage summary section tells you how many API requests you made in the last 7, 30, and 90 days.

Under that, another box lets you enter a phone number. Once you click Submit, the API retrieves information about the number, including its country, the number in various formats, and the carrier and number type, and displays it. Each lookup, whether executed in code or submitted via the console, costs 0.4 cents (US).

That’s all there is to it; we try to keep things simple around here.

Get started with Lookup

To get started with Plivo’s Lookup API, check out our documentation or read the FAQ page in our support portal.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) mandates that all organizations that want to send SMS to phones in India via domestic messaging register on distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms. Sender registration and whitelisting is designed to curb unsolicited commercial communication (UCC), control promotional spam, and reduce SMS fraud.

The size of the commercial communication market in India makes spam a giant problem. The country has 1.2 billion mobile subscribers who send and receive more than 30 billion messages per month. Not all of those messages are welcome, however.

DLT is a blockchain-based registration system that, for TRAI, records details about organizations, headers, consent information, and message templates. By following the rules around DLT registration, businesses that engage in telemarketing can ensure that their messages reach their target recipients.

We’ve written a post in our support portal that walks Indian businesses through the process of registering using any of four telecom providers’ portals. The process involves

1. Obtaining an Entity ID
2. Registering headers
3. Registering consent templates and content templates

Step 1 — Register an Entity ID

An Entity ID is a 19-digit number that uniquely identifies a business. Once you’ve obtained it, you can use your Entity ID for all future header and template registrations. You’ll need several documents to obtain an Entity ID:

• Business PAN, a government-issued permanent account number. You can register for a PAN online.
• GST or TAN certificate. GST stands for Goods and Service Tax, and TAN is Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number. As you can for a PAN, you can register for a GST or TAN certificate online.
• Letter of Authorization allowing an individual to register on behalf of the business.
• Government-issued ID for the authorized individual.

Step 2 — Register headers

Once you’ve obtained an Entity ID you should register your headers. Headers are simply sender IDs for the numbers you plan to use to send text messages. To avoid confusion among message recipients, you may not use look-alike headers that differ only in their use of uppercase and lowercase letters.

Step 3 — Register templates

The next step is to register consent templates and content templates. A consent template is a standard message that’s sent to users to get their consent to receive communications from enterprises. There’s no limit on the number of consent templates you can create. After consent templates are approved by the registrar, you can link them to content templates.

A content template is the actual text of an SMS message. Content templates can include variables, so you can show where specific values are supposed to go in your messages; for example, “your verification code is {#var#}.”

There are four types of content templates:

• Transactional — messages that contain a one-time password (OTP) required to complete a banking or credit or debit card transaction initiated by a bank customer
• Service implicit — any message arising out of customers’ actions or their existing relationship with the enterprise, and that is not promotional
• Service explicit — messages that require explicit consent from customers. This category includes service messages that don’t fall under the service-implicit category.
• Promotional — messages intended to promote or sell products, goods, or services. Service content mixed with promotional content is treated as promotional.

Our support post shows examples of each, and presents a list of dos and don’ts for both consent templates and content templates. For consent templates, for instance, choose a logical short name for each consent template; that’ll help you choose the right consent template to associate with content templates. In your consent template, include the brand name that’s relevant to the scope of the consent, along with a complete description of what you’re asking consent for. For example, “We would like to send marketing offers and events to our registered customers” or “We need your consent to send you messages about your account as well as marketing offers.”

After consent templates are approved by the registrar, you can link them to content templates in promotional or service categories. As with consent templates, use relevant and recognizable names for content templates. You can insert a variable placeholder {#var#} to stand in for values such as dates, amounts, account numbers, names, and one-time passwords. Each content template may be associated with only a single header; don’t use the same content template with multiple headers.

Making registration easy

We’ve done our best to make the multi-step DLT registration process as simple as possible. If you follow the instructions in our support post you should have no trouble registering your business, so you can send text messages to domestic Indian phone numbers in compliance with TRAI DLT regulations.

The good news is that DLT registration is working. Since the government imposed its mandate, more than 2.5 million principal entities have obtained IDs. They’ve registered more than 600,000 headers and generated more than 5,500,000 approved message templates. All of this activity has yielded a welcome reduction in the number of customer complaints about registered telemarketers.