Short Code Leasing Guide
How to lease a dedicated short code, file the program brief, and survive the 8–12 week carrier provisioning — plus registry vs reseller pricing.
Leasing a Short Code is a three-stage process: lease the code from the registry, write a program brief describing how you’ll use it, then wait out the per-carrier provisioning review. Budget 8–12 weeks end to end and plan your launch date around it — there is no fast track.
The leasing flow
- Lease the code from the registryReserve a code through the Somos U.S. Short Code Registry (usshortcodes.com) — directly, or through a CPaaS reseller that manages the registry relationship for you. Choose random (cheaper) or vanity (self-selected, memorable, premium), and a lease term: 3, 6, or 12 months (some offer 9). You lease, you don’t own — let it lapse and it returns to the pool.
- Write and submit the program briefThe program brief is the application carriers review: brand, use case, sample messages, the full opt-in/opt-out flow, message frequency, and the call-to-action. It must align internally the same way a 10DLC campaign does — mismatches cause rejections. Submit it through your provider/aggregator.
- Carrier provisioning and approvalEach carrier reviews the program brief independently. Expect provider/aggregator review of ~1–2 weeks followed by carrier review of ~6–10 weeks — 8–12 weeks total. Once all carriers approve and the code is provisioned, you can launch at ~100 MPS per code.
Registry vs reseller pricing
Be explicit about which price you’re quoting. The official Somos registry rate is what you pay leasing the code directly; a CPaaS reseller marks it up in exchange for managing the registry relationship, the program brief, and carrier provisioning for you.
| Type | Official Somos registry rate | Typical CPaaS reseller rate |
|---|---|---|
| Random | ~$500/mo | ~$1,000/mo |
| Vanity (self-selected, memorable) | ~$1,000/mo | ~$1,500/mo |
On top of the monthly lease, expect:
- A one-time carrier/provider setup fee of ~$650–$1,000+.
- Per-message usage rates (provider-specific).
The reseller markup buys convenience — they handle the registry, the brief, and the carrier back-and-forth. Leasing direct from Somos is cheaper but you (or your provider) still have to drive provisioning. Decide which model you’re on before you compare quotes. Verify live as of mid-2026
Throughput
A provisioned short code runs at ~100 MPS per code — the highest of any number type, but not the ~1,000 MPS often cited online. If you need more, lease additional codes or negotiate elevated provisioning. See the short codes overview for the full picture.
Next: compare short codes against 10DLC and toll-free on the decision matrix.