What Numbers to Use for A2P Messaging

Choosing the right number type for A2P messaging is an important part of building effective business communication. Different sender types are available depending on the country, the purpose of the message, and whether recipients need to reply. The right setup ensures your messages are delivered reliably, securely, and in compliance with local regulations.

Graphic illustration from What Numbers to Use for A2P Messaging showing three iPhone screens side by side with different sender types: “MyBrand” for Alphanumeric Sender ID, “1220” for Short Code, and “+47 22 99 400” for Virtual Long Number.

Virtual Long Numbers for A2P Messaging

Virtual long numbers, often called VLNs, give businesses a local presence and support two way communication in many markets. They look like regular mobile numbers but are designed for business messaging.

Detail	Information
What they are	Dedicated or shared mobile numbers that can send and receive text messages for business purposes. The format and digit count vary by country.
Best for	Businesses that need recipients to reply, such as customer service, surveys, or confirmations.
Advantages	Recognisable and local appearance for recipients. Works for both one way and two way messages where supported. Enables consistent communication within supported markets

Short Codes for A2P Messaging

Short codes are 3 to 6 digit numbers used exclusively for A2P messaging. They are country specific and often need to be registered locally.

Detail	Information
What they are	3 to 6 digit numeric codes used for business messaging within one country.
Best for	Marketing campaigns, alerts, authentication, voting, donations, or other high volume and time sensitive messages.
Advantages	Very high message throughput. Easy for customers to recognise and remember.Trusted and compliant format. Supports two way communication where needed

Alphanumeric Sender IDs for A2P Messaging

Alphanumeric sender IDs display your brand name instead of a number, creating instant recognition and trust. They are used for one way messaging where recipients do not need to reply.

Detail	Information
What they are	Custom sender names such as “LINK” or “MyBrand” used instead of numeric numbers for outbound one way SMS.
Best for	Notifications, authentication codes, and other one way communications where no reply is needed.
Advantages	Strong brand visibility and recognition. Professional and branded appearance. No need to manage phone numbers. In some markets, registered sender IDs can reduce the risk of spam filtering

Choosing the Right Option

The right sender type depends on your goals and on whether recipients need to reply. If replies are needed, use a short code or a virtual long number. If replies are not needed, an alphanumeric sender ID offers the best branded experience.

LINK Mobility provides all major A2P sender types including virtual long numbers, short codes, and alphanumeric sender IDs. With direct operator connections and extensive experience in global messaging, LINK Mobility ensures proper registration, compliance, and delivery performance across all regions.

Did you find the article and topic interesting?

If you would like to explore the subject further, discuss ideas, or understand how it could apply to your business, we are here to continue the conversation.

Want to Learn More?