CTIA, Syniverse manage short codes for Latin America

CTIA, mobile operators including Telefonica and Movil and technology provider Syniverse today announced the creation of a centralized registry of common short codes spanning 400 million Latin American wireless subscribers across 17 countries.

CTIA helps manage a similar short code database for U.S. operators, and it is used as a key component of mobile marketing campaigns, allowing marketers to use a single short code for text messages that can be used on any mobile device.

The new Latin America common short code program, available at www.latinshortcodes.com or www.codigoscortos.com, will be managed by CTIA, which will handle all administrative functions involved in securing a short code including application, receipt, assignment and renewal or expiration.

The Latin America CSC program will initially offer six-digit codes. More than 95 percent of mobile device users have texting capabilities and are able to access common short codes, CTIA said.

In announcing the program from the CTIA keynote stage, Iñaki Urdangarín, chairman of Telefónica International USA, said the short codes would let operators and the marketers and advertisers they serve “operate unified campaigns throughout our part of the world.”

While CTIA will oversee and administer the Latin America CSC program, the Syniverse Technologies will provide the web-based platform to support the registry, including search and payment capabilities.

The Latin America CSC program will be operational in the following countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.