Mobile dial code

A mobile dial code (MDC) is a phone number that allows the request and receipt of information directly to a mobile phone. MDC's are also known in carrier terminology as "abbreviated dialing codes" (ADC's).

A mobile dial code combines a toll-free number, a web address and a short code into one simplified number. It is a 1-15 digit string of letters or numbers that is preceded by a combination of * or #.

Mobile dial codes are dialed just like a regular telephone number. The caller can be presented with any one of a variety of responses that an advertiser defines - a voice or IVR call, a text message, a video or audio clip, a mobile coupon, game or an application.

A type of mobile dial codes are USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) codes, which can be used for communicating with the service provider's computers (i.e. for WAP browsing, prepaid callback service, mobile-money services, location-based content services, menu-based information services, and as part of configuring the phone on the network).

A mobile dial code is not the same as an abbreviated dial code which only supports voice calls, basically abbreviating a standard phone number and connecting the caller to a person or machine (interactive voice response system or voicemail system) that answers the call.

A mobile dial code is not the same as a 2D bar code which must be photographed or scanned by a mobile phone camera prior to presenting the caller with a response.

Many of the 4-alphanumeric mobile dial codes have been allocated or collected by cybersquatters[1]

StarStar Mobile operates the National StarStar Registry in the United States leasing StarStar Numbers available through AT&T and Verizon as of July 2010.[2] Sprint and T-Mobile partnerships were announced in March 2011. An example of a StarStar number[3] is **TAXI (**8294) which allows a mobile phone user to connect to a local taxi company.

#250 (pound two-fifty) is another MDC that is available through Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and, more recently, U.S. Cellular. It is an abbreviated dialing option commonly used in radio marketing. In 2015, #250 brokered a nationwide agreement with iHeartRadio Los Angeles, Sirius XM and Premiere Networks.[4] Callers are prompted to say a keyword, which corresponds to an advertiser (e.g. "Liberty" causes a connection to Liberty University).[5]