Forum Discussion
[Announcement] BIG NEWS: You can now text shortcodes! 🎉
Yes, we heard you loud and clear—it’s been a long time coming, but the wait is finally over...SMARTY now supports shortcode messaging.
So, what’s the big deal with shortcodes?
They’re those snappy little numbers (3-6 digits, usually five) that let you:
✔️ Enter epic competitions
✔️ Vote for your favourite reality TV stars
✔️ Confirm important appointments
✔️ Donate to causes that matter
...and much more.
Heads up! Chargeable shortcodes aren’t included in your plan, so you’ll need an out-of-plan add-on to text them.
If your shortcode is free, such as to confirm a doctor’s appointment, text away.
Not sure how much a chargeable shortcode costs? No worries! We’ve built a super-handy shortcode checker so you can see the details upfront.
For all the nitty-gritty, check out our help article.
And as always, thanks for keeping us on our toes with your awesome feedback—we’re here to make your life easier.
Now go forth and text wisely!
500 Replies
I am unable to enter competitions on short codes I could do this with 3 but I’m not getting access now can this be unblocked
ClaireW_2909464 You cannot get it unblocked because Smarty do not support the short code system.
Please see: https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/952515-are-all-texts-free-with-smarty-plans
What plan allows texts to 82122 ( radio competition number)
thanks
Have you ever heard of premium rate text bar they may caused issue
ReeceWe_3456771 No plans have all short code texts included. You need credit to pay for them - with one or two exceptions.
SimonShe_367108 That is known as a short code number and Smarty currently do not support that system at all, so you will not be able to send such a text.
Does anyone know where short code messages go on the rare "Nothing 1" mobile phone??
MartinK_2758420 Smarty currently does not support short code messages, so they don't go anywhere I suppose.
Chargeable texts
Catheri_1753712 As we do not work for Smarty, it is impossible for us to say.
Probably not until they join the SCMG (Shortcode Management Group), Catheri_1753712.
Shortcodes are managed by the SCMG on a commercial basis - unless SMARTY enter into various commercial agreements, it's unlikely to happen.
Hi.
EE recently texted me on: 249 and I’m unable to reply, is this a known issue to be sorted
Been covered on this forum many times - Smarty don’t yet support short code texts
(This is the community forum by the way, we are customers, we don’t work for Smarty)
Oddly enough, you can use the usual short-codes for getting a PAC, STAC or INFO about your plan.
A correctly formatted SMS to 65075, 75075 or 85075 will work on the SMARTY network, JJP2RidesAgain.
I tried to send a message last night to 70702 to donate to red nose and it wouldn't go through. Whenever I text to a number it says not sent. Any idea why?
Hi FrankSmi_155442 👋
SMARTY doesn't support short codes 👎 so that is the reason it didn't work. This is the same for all short codes not just donations, competitions etc! Unfortunately SMARTY DO NOT make this clear when advertising their services and is probably one of the reasons why they are so cheap 🤔
"Apparently" SMARTY are looking into supporting them (and have been for many years now 🙄) but I wouldn't hold your breath expecting this to change anytime in the near future i.e. this decade 😂
If you had done a search, on this page, for 'short codes' then you would see the many, MANY posts SMARTY customers have started with regards to this 😤
If you want/need to use short codes then I would recommend moving to a different provider. I'm sure many SMARTY customers will do this in the near future now SC are more commonly being used by many companies, services etc as their 'normal' way of communicating.
Hope this helps 😁Thank you so much for your helpful reply.
F
Hi, When I try to send a text tfora TV competition or to a radio station I get 'not delivered' ev very time. Looking at how to sort this involves typing *#*# ... and a lot more. It has not worked. Some help from you guys would be much appreciated
Unfortunately CliveCu_1891602, SMARTY Mobile only support use of a limited number of shortcodes for SMS on their network, e.g. 65075 works, but many others don't.
There's more about UK shortcodes online at https://www.short-codes.com.
Having recently moved from 3 Mobile to Smarty, I am now finding that i can't reply to short code text messages. This morning, I had to reply "Y" to my bank to authorise a payment - I found out that Smarty does not allow this. What a complete waste of time this company is! I have read similar posts and a statement from Smarty relating to this where they state that at the moment, Smarty does not provide this service. I am not bothered about competition entries BUT i am bothered about not being able to reply "Y" to my bank.
I would suggest that anyone who may need this facility looks elsewhere for a mobile provider as Smarty do not appear to be doing anything about it.
Perhaps, short-code numbers was something dreamed-up by the mobile network operators as a new revenue stream, which might explain why they've got an industry forum and working group for short-code numbers.
See online https://www.short-codes.com.
Maybe UK banks should be considering alternatives to SMS as a channel for conversations with their customers.
Chalkychap Of course, not all UK banks/card companies use that system. Santander, MBNA are just two examples and we get NHS reminders here without problem.
AndrewA_2529326 As per your other post.
Hi, Had an issue with my BT broadband, i have no network coverage at my house, so use Wifi calling, which works perfectly for voice calls and texts to mobiles BUT if it try texting BT on 61998, i get message fail, i can receive texts from this number..... if i'm on a normal 3/4G network ie not on wifi calling, text goes through fine.
I tried another handset, still doesn't work.
any ideas?
Gasgas2_1119700 Unless I am mistaken, that is what is known as a 'short-code number'. Currently Smarty does not support sending messages to them (except a few rare cases)
Yes this is what i ve read but i had a fault with BT last October, drove to get signal and texted them.... i'm going to try that again to be 100% sure.
SMARTY can you please let us know if / when you plan on opening up our network so we can enter completions via text?! Considering going elsewhere for the service and looking at previous comments it looks as if others would like this service too.
HayleyH_1492606 This subject crops up very frequently. Over at least the last year, we have only ever had the answer "We're looking at it".
I'm assuming that there is some cost involved (for Smarty) in moving over to supporting short code texts and therefore they are holding off.
Oddly, the SMARTY network already supports some short-code text messaging - for example 65075, 75075 and 85075 are all supported, for compliance with OFCOM mobile number portability regulations.
You'd like to think it wouldn't be too difficult to support additional short-codes, but perhaps there's a commercial interest here, which might be to minimise the numbers of customers switching from Three UK to SMARTY Mobile.
🤔
