Is there a way to text UK short code SMS numbers from outside the UK networks?

An example is 85058 (BBC Radio 5 Live).

This number can't be reached from Manx Telecom (this is on the Isle of Man, which has BBC license fee payers but not the UK mobile networks).

I don't think there is. As I understand it, the owner of a shortcode needs to negotiate individually with each of the main UK networks to have their code set up on that network.

Therefore, the shortcode owner is unlikely to spend even more money having the code set up on other networks.

Dan
Last edited by Dan 8t1 : 30-05-2005 at 22:07

It sounds like you've got a case for writing a complaint to the BBC. If you're a licence payer, you're entitled to the same facilities as the rest of us.

Short codes work based on network / global location. You can, for example, send a text message to Radio 5 if you come over to the mainland and roam on one of the UK networks. Funny how the simple things in life....

Yes, I realise that. It's like if a radio station in Scotland charged a licence fee to all parts of the UK, and broadcast to all parts of the UK, but only published numbers that could be dialled from within Scotland... And the response was "well, travel to Scotland if you want to call us..."

Strangely, the BBC seems to think this is quite normal... (they could of course solve it by simply publishing real text numbers somewhere).