What do the codes in your SMS mean?

mobile smsHave you ever received an SMS from your bank, service provider, or a company, that has been prefixed with codes? For example: An SMS from ICICI Bank that reads: IZ-ICICIBANK. Ever wondered what these codes really mean?

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) introduced these codes in order to curb bulk SMS providers from unsolicited commercial communication. Now that these codes are implemented, the sender can be traced, if necessary, as these codes reveal the location, the name of the company and the service provider.

This is how the code should look like:

XY-name of the company

X = Code of the service provider

Y = Location

Which means, IZ-ICICIBANK would be:

I = Idea Cellular (service provider)

Z = Maharashtra (location)

A list of Service Provider codes & Service Area codes:

codes list

So, I am sure next time you get an SMS with a code like this, you’ll know what it is.

Link: TRAI

(Image Credits: thatsoftwareguy)

3 Comments

Sanat April 25, 2009

SMS spamming is on the rise now. So now we’ll know who’s spamming us – but is there a way to stop some type of bulk smses? – say from political parties.

Harsh Agrawal April 27, 2009

@ Sanat
You can always opt for DND service , which is available with all the mobile operator.
Even after opting for DND service you receive SMS, you can simply sue them using consumer forum and can make some good money from out of the court settlement. 🙂