There are four entities involved in running a SMS/MMS program: carriers, aggregators, application providers, and the common shortcode administration (CSCA). See http://usshortcodes.com/csc_partner.html for more information.
- Carriers (Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, etc) – Allow access to their mobile subscribers for mobile programs.
- Aggregators (OpenMarket, Verisign, M-Blox) – Companies serving as a messaging gateway allowing connectivity to carriers and cross carrier programs.
- Application Providers (e.g. Interactive Mediums) – Companies that have built hosted software applications for managing campaigns or processing campaign logic.
- Common shortcode administration (CSCA) (http://usshortcodes.com) – Entity formed by NeuStar that serves as a single database or registry for shortcodes. Shortcodes are 5-6 digits (4 digit codes are reserved for carriers)
