Short answer
An SMS sender ID is the name or number shown as the sender of a text message on the recipient's phone. It can be an alphanumeric brand name of up to 11 characters, a short code or a full phone number. Many countries, including most GCC markets, require business sender IDs to be registered before use.
What types of sender ID exist?
The type you choose decides how the message looks and whether customers can reply. Alphanumeric IDs build recognition but are one-way; numeric senders support conversations.
| Type | Example | Can receive replies? |
|---|---|---|
| Alphanumeric | AcmeBank | No |
| Short code | A 4 to 6 digit number | Yes, where supported |
| Long code | +971501234567 | Yes, where supported |
Why is an alphanumeric sender ID limited to 11 characters?
3GPP TS 23.040 carries an alphanumeric originating address as packed GSM 7-bit text in up to 10 octets, which fits 11 characters. In SMPP v3.4 the sender ID travels in the source_addr field of submit_sm, with source_addr_ton describing its type, for example 5 for alphanumeric.
Do I need to register a sender ID?
It depends on the destination country and operator. Some markets accept alphanumeric IDs freely, some require pre-registration, and some replace unregistered IDs with a generic number or block the message. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, business sender IDs are registered before use, one per legal entity per use case.
- Use a name you own and that matches the brand in the message.
- Avoid generic words such as INFO or BANK, which operators often reject.
- Keep the same ID across campaigns so customers learn to trust it.
- Register separate IDs for promotional and transactional traffic where the market requires it.
Who registers the sender ID?
OmniChannels.ai sends A2P SMS through BroadNet's direct operator connectivity and manages sender ID registration with you, with registration fees passed through at cost. Requirements for each country are confirmed at onboarding.