What is Short Code?
A short code is a 5-digit telephone number used in a telecommunication service.It increases a company’s brand value. Various businesses and organizations utilize short code for customer communication. For automated services, it is a significant part.
The significance of short code
Short code makes the business easily accessible to the customers as the code can be mentioned anywhere in any sort of advertisement. It is quite known that short code allocation isn’t an easy and short process, so the companies and organizations which allocate the short code are considered as capable and trustworthy businesses to the customers. To reach a large number of audience quickly, short code is the best way.
Short Codes, specifically, support these operations in voice call, IVR (Interactive Voice Response), or SMS services.
In Bangladesh, the short code provider is Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Short code has 5 categories. They are-
Category-A- Eligible entities for category A are- The Prime minister’s office, office of the President, Bangladesh Parliament, The Supreme Court, Armed Forces, Government Security Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies.
Category-B-Government authorities, local government authorities, statutory bodies, autonomous entities are eligible for this category.
Category-C- Government corporations, state owned companies, governmental entities, offering commercial services, Telecom Value Added Service providers are the eligible entities for this category.
Category-D-Any other organization providing information,banking and financial service, any types of customer care service, aviation, help line, medical, travel and other similar services are the eligible entities for this category. D category short code contains 5 digits.
Category-E-Organization providing service to limited members/customer base and some public/private organizations can choose their short code number. E category short code also contains 5 digits.
Allocation Fee-
| Category | Allocation Fee |
|---|---|
| A | Free |
| B | 1,00,000 Taka |
| C | 1,50,000 Taka |
| D | 2,00,000 Taka |
| E | 4,00,000 Taka |
15% vat will be added with the allocation fee as per current rules and regulations.
Renewal fee:
A yearly renewal fee equal to 50% of the allocation fee must be paid before the allocated short code's validity period ends. The year will begin counting on the allocation date.Application Procedure for Short code:
The whole short code application procedure is online based. On behalf of a company or organization, one person would apply along with his information and documents. The documents are- service details, updated trade license, institutional TIN certificate, updated income TAX clearance certificate, VAT registration certificate, network and connectivity diagram, memorandum of Article of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, License copy of service from concern authority, TVAS enlistment certificate for Telecommunication Value Added Service, CV of the owner of the company along with two passport size photographs, printed copy of the approved application webpage.
First the applicant would complete the registration and create a verification account on myGov website. The applicant would need two forms, one is the application form and another one which would be printed in the letterhead pad of the company. The information which are needed for the short code -The company name, the applicant’s name, postal address, registered office address, contact person’s information, intended category- in what category the short code is needed, description of the intended use of code, estimated starting date of service, type of service (voice/IVR/SMS).
Allocation process of Short code:
- 1. Interested applicants shall apply to BTRC with all the prescribed documents and files along with the application form which is available on the BTRC website. The application form and all documents should be submitted online.
- 2. BTRC would examine the eligibility and readiness of the applicants to receive a short code
- 3. Thirdly, BTRC will issue a demand letter for the eligible applicants asking to deposit the allocation fee along with application processing fee.
- 4. All these fees should be deposited to BTRC through pay-order. This deposition should be done by 30-calendar days of issuance of the demand letter.
- 5. If an applicant fails to pay the allocation fee within these 30 days, the demand letter becomes invalid. Instead, the applicant will receive additional three months after paying 15% of the allocation fee in addition to the total allocation fee.
If a demand letter is found to be invalid, the applicant will be required to pay an additional 15% of the allocation fee for additional short code application. - 6. In response to the demand letter for short-code allocation, the applicant is required to submit the connectivity proposal and all supporting documentation (if required).
- 7. IPTSP (Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider) operators for Voice/IVR service should be contacted to obtain access lines for the short code's connectivity. Any licensed ANS operator authorized to route SMS can connect a short code for SMS-based services.
- 8. The allocated short code will be accompanied by the connectivity approval, which will be valid for one year from the date of allocation.
- 9. After one year, the short code should be renewed with 50% of the allocation fee. In the case that the short code does not renew, BTRC reserves the right to call the short code invalid without prior notice at any time.
- 10. In the case of short code allocation for less than one year, only the code allocation fee will be applicable.
Terms and Conditions::
- The authorized representatives of the BTRC shall have access to the installation of the service provider for the purpose of monitoring and inspecting without prior knowledge, and BTRC shall have the right to monitor the quality of service which is provided by the service provider at any time.
- The ground authority to make any adjustments and changes to the code and allocation procedure lies with BTRC
- All fees, including allocation, renewal, and processing fees, would be subject to VAT, as defined by government regulations.
- Not limited to but allocated short code may be canceled, under followings:
- -(a) If the allottee does not use the code within six (six) months of receiving it
- -(b) If the information service provided is harmful to national security and the public good
- -(c) If any sort of unethical deeds done by allottee
- -(d) Violation of any of the allocation procedure's rules and regulations.
- -(e) The allocated short code cannot be transferred, so any attempt to do so will become invalid and will result in the cancellation of the code. In this case, neither the allocation nor the annual fee will be refunded.
The application link for short note is given below:
Click For Apply
