CTIA-The Wireless Association® Announces New Latin America Common Short Code Initiative

LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, CTIA–The Wireless Association® and participating carrier companies, led by America Movil and Telefónica, announced the launch of a new Latin America common short code (CSC) initiative that will greatly benefit businesses and consumers by creating a centralized CSC registry process. Instead of negotiating with and coordinating this process among multiple carriers, companies and advertisers can now secure a single short code capable of running a unified campaign across all of Latin America. This allows wireless consumers, using almost any mobile device, to be able to obtain critical or timely information, contribute to a charitable cause, purchase content or participate in numerous interactive campaigns.

The Latin America CSC Web sites (http://www.latinshortcodes.com/ or http://www.codigoscortos.com/) serve as a one-stop-shop for businesses that want to connect with the more than 400 million wireless subscribers in Latin America. A centralized CSC registry will be managed by CTIA, and will provide administrative responsibilities related to all facets of securing a short code including application, receipt, assignment and renewal or expiration. 

CSCs are easy-to-remember five or six-digit numeric codes that wireless consumers can use to send and receive text messages across all participating carriers. The Latin America CSC program will initially offer six-digit codes. More than 95 percent of mobile device users have texting capabilities and are able to access common short codes. When compared to other marketing media, mobile provides marketers with the greatest opportunity to reach consumers. CSC applications include sweepstakes, tele-voting campaigns, mobile coupons, in venue and other promotions, as well as a wide range of additional interactive wireless services.
 
“We are pleased to provide our expertise to create this exciting new opportunity throughout Latin America and to give businesses the ability to raise their brand awareness with a well-known offering that has an extremely high level of consumer participation and trust,” said Steve Largent, president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association. “Common short codes are extremely popular in the United States, and it’s exciting to play a central part in establishing the largest global mobile marketing tool.”    

“I strongly believe that there is a great potential for this service that until this moment hadn't been fully developed in Latin America. Now, with the support from CTIA, we have removed all the obstacles to achieve its success,” said Iñaki Urdangarín, chairman of Telefónica International USA.  “The launch of this service is excellent news for advertising agencies, telecommunication providers and any company offering services and products via SMS to their customers anywhere in the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, using the same short code.”

While CTIA will oversee and administer the Latin America CSC program, the association has selected Syniverse Technologies (NYSE:SVR), a leading provider of technology and business solutions for the global telecommunications industry, to support the program with a state-of-the art, fully scalable web-based platform that incorporates functionality ranging from registry to CSC search to payment capabilities.

“For more than 20 years, Syniverse has been a driver of innovation at the heart of the mobile industry and we are proud to be a part of this important initiative,” said Tony Holcombe, president and CEO of Syniverse. “With our technical expertise and our in-region team members’ strong relationships with over 100 operators in more than 40 countries throughout Latin America, all the pieces are in place for a successful short code registry program launch.”

The Latin America CSC program will be operational in the following countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

For more information in English, Portuguese or Spanish about the Latin CSC initiative, please visit http://www.latinshortcodes.com/ or http://www.codigoscortos.com/.

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About CTIA-The Wireless Association
CTIA-The Wireless Association® (http://www.ctia.org/) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.

About Syniverse
Syniverse Technologies (NYSE:SVR) makes mobile work for more than 800 mobile operators, cable and Internet providers, and enterprises in over 160 countries. With unmatched expertise and more than 20 years simplifying the complexities of roaming, messaging and networking, Syniverse serves as the force at the center of mobile communications universe, keeping people connected today and forging new connections for tomorrow. Nobody knows mobile like Syniverse. For more information, visit http://www.syniverse.com/, follow Syniverse on Twitter or find Syniverse on Facebook.