Getting a Sender ID

In this section, we will provide the instructions on how to get your Sender ID

Understanding Number Types
When sending SMS to mobile recipients, companies are offered a wide range of options in terms of how they want their message to appear on the recipient's phone. These options refer to various number types that companies can use to send SMS to recipients.

• Sender ID - also known as Alphanumeric Sender ID or just Sender is a string of up to 11 alphanumeric characters (e.g., Noon) that would entirely replace a phone number. The benefit of using Sender ID is credibility, as your message would appear on the recipient's phone with your brand name.

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Note

There's a specific process on the Unifonic side known as registration of the Sender ID that we put in place to confirm the credibility of the Sender ID.

• Shortcode is usually a 4 to 6-digits phone number designed for high-throughput, two-way messaging. Short codes are used to send and receive SMS messages to and from mobile phones. These numbers are perfect for apps that require a reply from the recipient, like appointment confirmation, interactive surveys, and transactional messaging.

• Long code is a standard phone number used to send and receive SMS. Your mobile phone number is an example of a long code (which is 9 or 10-digits number in many countries), so it has its name from the fact that it's usually longer than a short code.

Configuring a Sender ID

To request a sender ID, send an email to [email protected] or if you already have a Unifonic account, follow the next steps.

1. Login to the Unifonic platform: https://cloud.unifonic.com/

2. On the left side, click on the menu and go to "COMMUNICATION CLOUD".

3. Click on "SENDER NAMES" in the left panel of this section.

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Note

In this section you can check all your approved and rejected senders and those in processing status.

4. To raise a new sender request, click on "ADD NEW SENDER NAME" on the right side.

5. Then, Select the sender ID type, it can be "Notification" or "Advertising" (The advertising senders typically must include -AD)

6. Select the message type: Awareness, Service, or Warning for Notification and Personal or Promotional for Advertising.

7. Select the country. Type the sender and upload the confirmation documents. Finally, select if you want to make this sender as default.

8. Click Save.

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Note

• A confirmation email is sent. Your sender will be processed, and if there is any additional requirement from operators, our support team will contact you.

• Once the activation process finishes, the sender's status will change to "Approved."

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Sender ID activation fees for Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission announced on 22-8-2022 reference number 93, that effective 1st of September 2022, fees will be collected for all sender ID activations.

Please note that all service operators are required to implement this change starting from the 1st of September 2022 and consequently fees will be applicable to any sender ID activation after this date.

You’ll find the full CITC communication here.

If any questions or doubts regarding this process, don't hesitate to get in touch with [email protected]