---
title: "Sender ID"
description: "A sender ID is the value shown as the sender of an SMS on the recipient’s phone: a brand name (alphanumeric), a short code or a full phone number (long code)."
canonical: "https://omnichannels.ai/glossary/sender-id/"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-10-10"
publisher: "BroadNet Technologies"
brand: "OmniChannels.ai"
---

# Sender ID

Canonical: https://omnichannels.ai/glossary/sender-id/
Language: en
Publisher: OmniChannels.ai by BroadNet Technologies

**Definition:** A sender ID is the value shown as the sender of an SMS on the recipient’s phone: a brand name (alphanumeric), a short code or a full phone number (long code).

Technically, the sender ID is the originating address of the message. In SMPP it is carried in the source_addr field of submit_sm, with source_addr_ton and source_addr_npi describing its type (for example alphanumeric or international number).

Which sender ID types are allowed 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 value or block the message.

In the GCC, sender IDs are typically registered before use, often with supporting documents such as a trade licence and a letter of authorisation, and promotional traffic may have its own sender ID conventions. Requirements vary by country and are confirmed at onboarding.

A sender ID also affects replies: an alphanumeric ID cannot receive replies, while short codes and long codes can support two-way SMS.

Common mistakes include sending from an unregistered ID, using a brand you do not own, and changing the ID across campaigns so customers stop recognising it.

## Example

```
source_addr = "AcmeBank" (alphanumeric, TON 5) or source_addr = "971501234567" (international, TON 1)
```

## Sources

- [SMPP Protocol Specification v3.4 (Issue 1.2) — SMPP.org](https://smpp.org/SMPP_v3_4_Issue1_2.pdf)