Our Virtual Mobile Numbers (VMNs) can be used to send and receive text messages and calls; this virtual number will act just like a regular long code number. However, there are a few restrictions in place when using the VMN. These restrictions are aimed at the SMS usage of these numbers, as there are currently no restrictions aimed at voice usage.
When purchasing a number you can choose between the capabilities SMS, Voice and MMS. MMS is only a capability for US and Canadian numbers. We provide numbers for a large number of countries; the availability of the numbers can be checked within the numbers tab of the dashboard.
Local Restrictions
When sending messages with a VMN the restrictions that are listed in the Country Restrictions page will still apply. On those pages, you can also see which traffic is allowed to be sent to each country.
International 2-Way messaging
Our Virtual Mobile Numbers are optimised for local 2-way messaging with a SIM card phone number. Because of this, we cannot guarantee that messages will be received on a VMN if the originating SMS was sent from a number from a different country. Sending messages from one VMN to another will also likely fail due to these restrictions. Any delivery of these SMS is down to our platform providing best-effort delivery.
Receiving SMS
It is strictly prohibited to use the numbers to receive SMS from other applications (including, but not limited to, receiving verification codes/OTP). Because of this, using a VMN for this purpose will result in the suspension of the account.
United States/Canada
Sending an SMS from any non-US virtual number to a US number will not arrive due to the local country restrictions. The same restrictions are set for Canada. Besides this, numbers from the United States and Canada have a daily limit of 500 SMS per day, and 1 SMS per second. If you wish to send more then 500 SMS per day or require higher throughput, you can purchase additional numbers.
If you ignore these regulations the operator may block the number.
If you are using our API and your dedicated number, you will have to bear this in mind when setting up your configuration. Using the originator 'inbox' will trigger our system to select a random VMN (dedicated or shared - depending on what is available) for the first SMS and ensure that this VMN will be reused for all consequent messages to the same end-user. Do note that this feature is only available in the US, Canada, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Read more about this feature, called Sticky VMN, in the developers documentation.