VIRTUAL LONG NUMBERS
Unique local numbers to represent your business
It’s simple. People trust what they recognize, and with a local phone number, you’re halfway through their doors already!
Join over 150,000 businesses, including 8 of the 10 largest tech companies in the world
Be local – on a global scale
Start a conversation
Build trust on a local level
Get up and running fast
Flexible. Convenient. Recognizable.
Long numbers are cost-effective, easy to use, and can be set up quickly – sometimes even the same day! They also make your business appear local, even if you’re actually on the other side of the world.
Start two-way conversations, build deeper connections
Be available anytime, build local recognition, and make it easy for customers to text and call you back. Use a specific number for every country or even an area code in the U.S. to become a familiar face in local markets.
Start building with confidence with the Sinch Numbers API
Get unique numbers to represent your business, and protect people’s sensitive information with number masking. Sign up and learn how to get a virtual number in our portal.
Connect with customers quickly and efficiently
Dedicated numbers
Number masking
International messaging
Virtual local long numbers
Free customer messages
Got questions? We’ve got answers!
The main difference between these two numbers is how they’re intended to be used. Long numbers were designed to support person-to-person (P2P) messages with a relatively low throughput of messages. Short codes (SC) were designed to support application-to-person (A2P) bulk, higher throughput messaging – this a pre-approved route, which eliminates filtering.
Over time, demand for and use of messaging channels has changed. A2P messages are being sent on long codes, and some short code-based campaigns support P2P-like experiences with the application only hosting the consent and communication experience. The carriers have stepped in to get better control of the traffic on their networks in an effort to increase security and deliverability.
For most countries, you will only need a virtual long number or a short code if you wish to engage in two-way interactions with your customers. If you do not wish to engage in a two-way dialogue, then in most countries you can simply set the Sender ID (Originator) to something alphanumeric using your brand name, e.g. ‘Sinch’.
In some countries, however, like the U.S. and Canada, a short code or toll-free number is required regardless of whether you want to engage in a two-way dialogue, as alphanumeric Sender IDs are not supported. For more information about which countries require a short code or virtual long number, please contact your Account Manager.
10DLC is a channel sanctioned by carriers for transporting A2P messaging using dedicated 10-digit telephone numbers allocated within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
Related products
Short Codes
10DLC
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SMS
Toll-Free Numbers
Number Masking
What are you waiting for?
Enrich your business today with Virtual Long Numbers!