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WHAT IS A VIRTUAL SMS NUMBER?

A virtual SMS number (also referred to as a virtual phone number or virtual mobile number) that looks and acts exactly like a traditional mobile number except they are used only to send and receive an SMS message.

SEND & RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES

Send and receive one text message or thousands using one static number.

EASY SETUP

Get your mobile number issued to you in seconds.

USE WITH EMAIL TO SMS

Text mobiles from your virtual SMS number using our email to SMS feature.

WHY USE A VIRTUAL SMS NUMBER

Having your own dedicated virtual phone number gives you a lot more freedom than using a shared virtual number and more privacy than using your own personal mobile number.

Forward Replies To Your Personal Mobile

Will SMS forwarding whenever anyone sends a text message to your virtual SMS number that messages will be automatically forwarded to your personal mobile which means you don’t need to log in to your 160 account to check your inbox.

See our guide on how to set this up.

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EASY OPT-OUT

Typically, the default method of setting up an opt-out involves having the recipient reply back with a long opt-out keyword for example: “opt-out 61612”.

With a virtual SMS number, the recipient only needs to reply back with the word “STOP” and this keyword will automatically deactivate that mobile number from your contacts list.

SHARED NUMBER vs. VIRTUAL SMS NUMBER

When using the 2-way SMS feature, 160 will use a ‘shared pool number’ which means while all of your communications are 100% private and secure this number will sometimes change meaning your recipients will likely see a different mobile number from time to time when time you text them.

Having a private virtual number means that your recipients will see the same number every time you communicate with them which helps with familiarity and trust.

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KEEP YOUR PERSONAL NUMBER PRIVATE

While some businesses prefer to use their personal mobile number for recognition there are businesses that need a private dedicated number.

Using a virtual mobile number means you can maintain the benefit of having a static number that people can recognize while keeping your personal number private.

MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER YOUR NUMBER

Mobile numbers often change and people leave companies, with a dedicated virtual mobile number this means that team members can come and go but you have the same mobile number that your recipients recognize.
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AFFORDABLE

Our virtual mobile numbers are incredibly affordable at only $20 per month. There are no admin or special hidden fees and you can cancel at any time.

CALL FORWARDING

Never miss a call with Call Forwarding. With our Call Forwarding feature, you can enable your virtual SMS number to receive calls and have them automatically forwarded to up to 5 different numbers.

Learn more about Call Forwarding here.

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GET STARTED IN 3 STEPS

Once you’ve set up your free SMS account, ordering your virtual SMS numbers is easy.

SETUP AN ACCOUNT

Create an account or log in to your existing one, then order your Virtual SMS Number from the menu.

SELECT YOUR NUMBER

Select the virtual number you just ordered as the number you wish to send from.

SEND

Enter in your mobile contacts, type your message and send!

ORDER YOUR OWN VIRTUAL SMS NUMBER
Subscribe for only $20 (incl. GST) per month, cancel anytime.

GET STARTED

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why use a virtual SMS number?

Whether you’re launching a product, creating an awareness campaign or sending payment reminders, we know how frustrating it can be when people leave the business and take their number with them. When you choose our hassle-free services and buy an SMS receive number, we’ll put a stop to the unnecessary stress. All you need to do is buy a virtual phone number for SMS purposes, and your company will be given one number to use. This ensures consistency throughout all communications with customers and enables recipients to recognise the number immediately, building trust and loyalty.

Having your own dedicated virtual SMS number in Australia gives you more freedom than using a shared virtual number. Plus, if you’re sending mass messages to a long list of clients, it offers more privacy than using a personal mobile number.

How many virtual SMS numbers can I have?

At this stage, only one virtual mobile number is allowed per account.

Can I choose my own phone number?

No. You will automatically be assigned an Australian virtual number once you purchase.

How much does a virtual SMS number cost?

Currently, the price is $20 per month for your own dedicated number.

How is it billed and are there any lock-in contracts?

There are no lock-in contracts. Your credit/debit card will be charged on the same day in the following month until you decide to cancel.

Does SMS Forwarding Cost Credits?

Yes, by default SMS messages are sent to your email and SMS inbox but if you select SMS Forwarding you are sending yourself that reply to your mobile and so will incur our standard SMS rates (1 SMS credit per 160 characters).

How do I cancel my virtual number subscription?

Click on Virtual Numbers (left-hand menu) > Select your virtual number and click “Cancel”.

Can I use my virtual SMS number for Bulk SMS messaging?

Yes.

Can I use my virtual number with Email To SMS?

Yes. Please see our FAQ on how to do this “Can I use my virtual SMS number with email to SMS?“

How long will it take before I can use my new virtual number?

You will get an email once your virtual number has been assigned to your account, this typically happens within 30 minutes but can take up to 24 hours.

How do cancellations & refunds work?

If you wish to get a refund you need to request this within 24 hours. Cancellations can be done at any time from within your dashboard by clicking on “Virtual Numbers” (left hand menu) ticking the box next to your number and then clicking “Cancel”.

Do I have to pay to send an SMS?

Our virtual SMS numbers in Australia are incredibly affordable and cost just $20 per month. Each standard SMS sent is charged at the rate of one credit. With no hidden fees or complex admin issues, after you’ve received your online SMS verification number, you can cancel at any time. Your credit/debit card will be charged on the same day in the following months until you choose to cancel.

While many of our users use the service for bulk SMS marketing, we adhere to the strict Anti Spam Act, meaning those who are found using the service to send unsolicited SMS text messages will have their account suspended automatically.

Do I have to pay to receive an SMS?

It doesn’t cost anything to receive a text message in most countries worldwide. However, there are a few exceptions, especially within the United States. If you’re unsure whether purchasing a virtual SMS number in Australia is right for you or your business, get in contact with our team for further information.

Can I receive messages from Viber and Whatsapp with my virtual number?

No. If you buy a virtual phone number for SMS purposes, they are not similar to traditional numbers. This means you cannot use the internet or other messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal. Instead, choosing a virtual SMS number in Australia allows you to send and receive bulk SMS messages using one static number.

Can I make calls with my virtual phone number?

No. Your virtual number is purely for texting. You will be able to send and receive text messages to hundreds of locations around the world. While some businesses prefer to use a personal mobile number, companies in other industries need a private number to share information. Buying a virtual phone number for SMS purposes will allow you to maintain the benefits of having a static number that people can recognise, all while keeping your personal number private. If a member of your company leaves, a dedicated virtual number allows other team members to send direct messages via the same mobile number.

What countries do you have numbers in?

When you buy a virtual phone number for SMS purposes, you can deliver an SMS anywhere in the world. 160 has coverage in 588 networks across 182 countries — so you can select a virtual SMS number in Australia and send messages to people both within the country and those living abroad. To determine the cost of sending a virtual SMS to another country, check out our coverage page, select the destination you’d like to send your message to and click the search button for a list of rates.

Do you have non-Australian virtual SMS numbers?

Yes, currently you can order the following virtual numbers:

  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Sweden
  • Thailand
  • USA
  • United Kingdom

Questions?

Call our SMS support team on 1800 671 823 or see our FAQ page.

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