Number Hosting Guidelines for Sparkforge Phone Locations

By Sparkforge Support Team ·Last reviewed May 3, 2026

Hosted SMS lets you send and receive texts on numbers you already own with another carrier. Voice stays where it is, only SMS/MMS routes through Sparkforge. Eligible: US/Canada landline and toll-free with no existing SMS provider. Approval takes 3–10 business days.

Number Hosting (also called Hosted SMS or Hosted Messaging) enables SMS and MMS on numbers you already own with another carrier. Voice service stays exactly where it is — Sparkforge handles only the messaging side, routed through Twilio. No port required.

How it works

  • You keep ownership of the number with your current carrier.
  • Voice calls continue working unchanged.
  • SMS and MMS route through Sparkforge via Twilio.
  • Twilio manages messaging delivery, throughput, and compliance.

Eligible numbers

  • US and Canada landline numbers — most local landlines are supported.
  • US and Canada toll-free numbers — generally supported.
  • Numbers without existing SMS service — required. The number cannot already have SMS active with another provider.

Ineligible numbers

  • Mobile numbers — cellular numbers can't be hosted for SMS through Twilio.
  • Twilio voice numbers on another account — numbers already used for voice in a different Twilio account can't be hosted for messaging on a different one.
  • Non-US/Canada numbers — hosted SMS isn't available outside US and Canada.

Verification process

Twilio runs a strict verification flow to prevent fraud and meet carrier requirements. The end user (number owner) must complete:

  1. Ownership Verification
  2. Letter of Authorization (LoA) signing
  3. Carrier Confirmation — only if the carrier requires it

Once Twilio approves, hosted messaging activates and SMS/MMS works inside the Sparkforge phone system.

What to submit

Send the following to Sparkforge 24/7 Live Chat Support:

  1. Sparkforge Location ID — visible in the URL when you're logged in.
  2. Phone numbers to be hosted in +1XXXXXXXXXX format.

What happens next

  1. Sparkforge generates a Hosted Messaging Verification Form.
  2. You or your client completes ownership verification and signs the LoA.
  3. Twilio reviews and approves.
  4. SMS/MMS routing activates inside Sparkforge.

Timeline

Typical approval is 3 to 10 business days. Timing varies based on your existing carrier's responsiveness and any extra verification they require.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to port my number to host SMS?
No. Number hosting is specifically designed to avoid porting. Voice stays with your existing carrier — only SMS routes through Sparkforge.
Can I host SMS on a mobile number?
No. Cellular numbers can't be hosted for SMS through Twilio. Only US and Canada landlines and toll-free numbers are eligible.
How long does approval take?
Typically 3 to 10 business days. Carriers that respond slowly or require extra verification can extend the timeline.
What information does Sparkforge need to start the request?
Your Sparkforge Location ID (from the URL when logged in) and the phone numbers in +1XXXXXXXXXX format. Submit both via 24/7 live chat support.
Can I host a number that already has SMS with another provider?
No. The number must have no active SMS service. If another provider has SMS enabled on it, that provider has to release messaging first.

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