Toll-Free SMS Basics
Toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833) can be SMS-enabled for business messaging. They offer a middle ground between short codes and standard long codes.
Verification Requirements
Since 2022, carriers require verification for toll-free A2P messaging:
- Business information — Legal name, address, website
- Use case — Description of messaging purpose
- Sample messages — Examples of content
- Volume estimate — Expected monthly message volume
Throughput Limits
| Status | Throughput |
|---|---|
| Unverified | ~0.2 msg/sec (heavily filtered) |
| Verified | 3-10 msg/sec |
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Recognizable format (1-800 numbers)
- Higher throughput than unregistered long codes
- Works for voice and SMS
- Faster setup than short codes
Disadvantages
- Lower throughput than short codes
- Verification still required
- Not local (no area code matching)
When to Use Toll-Free
- Customer service / support lines
- National campaigns (no local presence needed)
- Combined voice and SMS on one number
- Moderate volumes where short code is overkill