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  2. North & South America SMS Guidelines

North & South America SMS Guidelines

  • CHILE SMS: Products and Compliance

    Chile

     

    Dialing Code

    +56

    Major Carriers

    Movistar + VTR + Virgin + Simple + Telsur + Netline

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    Yes

    Sender ID Supported

    Short Code (via pre-registered operator short code)

    Sender ID Registration

    Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes

    Extra Information

    Unicode is supported            

    Compliance:

    No adult content is allowed.

    No political content is allowed.

    Subscriber opt-in required for marketing messages.

    Termination with response functionality:

    Must initiate an MT first in order for MO to work

  • COLOMBIA SMS: Products and Compliance

    Colombia

     

    Dialing Code

    +57

    Major Carriers

    Movistar,  Virgin Tigo (Millicom, Exito, Flash, ETB, Suma) Avantel

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    No

    Sender ID Supported

    Short Code (via pre-registered operator short code)

    Sender ID Registration

    Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes 

    Extra Information

    Unicode is supported            

    Compliance:

    Subscriber opt-in and opt-out required for notifications and marketing messages

    No additional special regulations



  • CUBA SMS: Products and Compliance

    Cuba

     

    Dialing Code

    +53

    Major Carriers

    Cubacel

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    No

    Sender ID Supported

    Alphanumeric

    Sender ID Registration

    Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes

    Extra Information

    Unicode is supported            

    Compliance:

    Subscriber opt-in and opt-out required for notifications and marketing messages

     

  • VENEZUELA SMS: Products and Compliance

    Mexico

     

    Dialing Code

    +52

    Major Carriers

    Telcel (Oui), ATT (Incl Iusacell) (+Unefon) , Movistar, Virgin, QBO, Weex, Cierto, Maz Tiempo, Flash)

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    Yes

    Sender ID Supported

    Short Code 

    Sender ID Registration

    Not Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes

    Extra Information

    Unicode is supported            

    Compliance:

    Long virtual numbers in Mexico are designed for P2P traffic only, if there is A2P traffic will be filtered.

    Subscriber opt-in and opt-out required for notifications and marketing messages

    Adult content is strictly forbidden.

    Political content is strictly forbidden.

    Religious content is strictly forbidden.



  • PANAMA SMS: Products and Compliance

    Panama

     

    Dialing Code

    +507

    Major Carriers

    Movistar, Movil, Claro, Digicel

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    Yes

    Sender ID Supported

    Short Code

    Sender ID Registration

    Not Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes

    Extra Information

    Unicode is supported            

    Compliance:

    Subscriber opt-in and opt-out required for notifications and marketing messages

     

  • PARAGUAY SMS: Products and Compliance

    Paraguay

     

    Dialing Code

    +595

    Major Carriers

    Tigo, Claro (Hutchinson- Movil), VOX

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    Yes

    Sender ID Supported

    Random local Long Number or Short Code

    Sender ID Registration

    Not Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes

    Extra Information

    Unicode is supported            

    Compliance:

    Subscriber opt-in and opt-out required for notifications and marketing messages

     

  • PERU SMS: Products and Compliance

    Peru

     

    Dialing Code

    +51

    Major Carriers

    Movistar, Claro, Bitel (Viettel), Entel

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    Yes

    Sender ID Supported

    Short Code or Random Local Long Number

    Sender ID Registration

    Not Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes

    Extra Information

    Unicode is supported            

    Compliance:

    Subscriber opt-in and opt-out required for notifications and marketing messages

     

  • VENEZUELA SMS: Products and Compliance

    Venezuela

     

    Dialing Code

    +58

    Major Carriers

    Movistar, Movilnet, Digitel

    Number portability

    Yes

    Message length

    160 characters.

    Support for Concatenated message

    Not Supported

    Sender ID Supported

    Local Long Code 

    Sender ID Registration

    Not Required

    Registration Time

    Varies

    Support for Two Way SMS

    Yes

    Extra Information

    Unicode is not supported            

    Compliance:

    Subscriber opt-in and opt-out required for notifications and marketing messages



  • ARGENTINA SMS: Products and Compliance

    Argentina

    Sender ID Numeric  
    Dialing code 54
    Major Carriers Claro, Movistar/Telefonica, Tuenti, Nuestro & Nucleo
    Number portability Yes
    Message length 160 characters.
    Support for Concatenated message Yes
    Sender ID Supported Short Code
    Sender ID Registration Required (Short Code)
    Registration Time
    2 Weeks (Short Code)
    Support for Two Way SMS Yes
    Extra Information
    • To ensure delivery we recommend your own short code.
    • When sending a message, in the destination number, omit the "9" that is normally used for an international voice call to an Argentinian mobile. This is between the country code and the local number:
      - e.g. the format for sending an SMS is just the country code "54" plus the 10 digit local number' - e.g. 54 1234567890.

        

    SMS Compliance

    Prohibited Content:

    The following types of messaging on all SMS messaging products are all prohibited:

    • Adult content
    • Religious Messages
    • Political messages 
  • BRAZIL SMS: Products and Compliance

    Brazil

    Sender ID Numeric
    Dialing code 55
    Major Carriers TIM, MVNE Datora, Americanet, Correios, Geek, ARQIA, MAGA, Eseye, Gospelcel, CITY, Paraisopolis, Vivo, Sercomtel-BR, Oi Movel-BR
    Number portability Yes
    Message length 160 characters.
    Support for Concatenated message Yes except Oi Movel-BR
    Sender ID Supported Short Code (via pre-registered operator short code)
    Sender ID Registration Required 
    Registration Time Varies
    Support for Two Way SMS Yes only available for large enterprises (Set up time is about 12 weeks)
    Extra Information
    • Unicode is not supported
    • Binary messages are not supported

    SMS Compliance

    Opt In Requirements:

    Outbound marketing messages are allowed in Brazil, with exceptions being adult/alcohol-related/political content.

    Opt In Requirements:

    All receiving recipients must be opted in to receive the content they have signed up for.

    Prohibited Content:

    The following types of messaging on all SMS messaging products are prohibited:

    • Adult content
    • Religious Messages
    • Political messages 
  • CANADA SMS: Products and Compliance

    Canada

    All SMS programs must be in English and French. If they are primarily in Canada, using only French is acceptable.

    Sender ID Numeric
    Dialling code 1
    Major Carriers Bell Mobility, Telus, Fido Solutions, and Rogers Wireless
    Number portability Yes
    Message length 160 characters.
    Support for Concatenated message No
    Sender ID Supported - Long Code (dedicated number) standard 10-digit phone numbers that are used to send and receive text messages and handle voice calls
    - Dedicated/FTEU Short Code
    - Toll-Free
    Setup Time

    Within 7 business Days for Long Code & Toll-Free
    8 to 12 weeks for Dedicated Short Code

    Sender ID Supported - Long Code (dedicated number) standard 10-digit phone numbers that are used to send and receive text messages and handle voice calls
    - Dedicated Short Code
    - Toll-Free
    Support for Two Way SMS Within Canada and the US only (Both USA and Canada are able to send and receive Two Way SMS)
    Extra Information All programs must be in both English and French
    If they are primarily in Canada, using only French is acceptable.

    8x8 currently offers 3 types of Sender ID channels: Short/TFEU Codes, Long Codes, and Toll-Free

    Dedicated

    Short Code

    • Short Codes are carrier approved programs, all short code programs are verified and tested by the carriers before they are live. 
    • Short Codes offer superior speed and reliability.
    • Short Code routes support binary and Unicode encoding, and delivery receipts.
    • Short Codes are short 5+ numeric codes (ex. 11111), easy to remember and dedicated. 
    • Short Code supports GSM 7-bit default alphabet and extension table - 3GPP TS 23.038

    Free To End User Short Code (FTEU) 

    • Offers the same feature as Dedicated Short Code.
    • The owner of the Free to End User Short code will be responsible for all costs (inbound and outbound).
    Long Code
    • Long Codes are standard 10 digit numbers that are text enabled for SMS
    • Long Codes are best used for one to one messaging or services messages. 
    • When used for high volume, more Long Codes may be required in order to process all messages. 
    • Special characters are not supported.
    • Repeated Links and prohibited content are blocked by the carriers.
    • Long Code supports binary and Unicode encoding
    • Long Code does not support delivery receipts.
    • Long Code supports GSM 7-bit default alphabet and extension table - 3GPP TS 23.038
    Toll-Free
    • Toll-Free support binary and Unicode encoding, and delivery receipts.
    • Both inbound and outbound SMS will be billed. 
    • Toll-Free has higher speeds and throughputs over Long Codes.
    • Toll-Free content must be whitelisted before a number can go live.
    • Public URL shorteners are not allowed and will be blocked by the carriers. 
    • Rotation of Toll-Free numbers will result in carrier blocks. 
    • Toll-Free supports GSM 7-bit default alphabet and extension table - 3GPP TS 23.038

    Canada Delivery Options

    Canada SMS Sending Options Long Code Dedicated/ FTEU Short Code Toll-Free 
    Example 12013511943 12345 1-888-555-5555
    Daily Send Limit 1 MPS 100 MPS 30 MPS
    United States Supported Yes No (Customer must purchase a US Dedicated Short Code) Yes
    2 way SMS support Yes Yes Yes
    Suggested Use Case

     

    1 to 1 Messaging, Notification Alerts Non-Marketing, Customer Service, and Chat Applications

    High Volume Messaging,

    Marketing

     

    High Volume Messaging, 
    2FA, OTP,
    Notifications

     

    Setup Time Within 7 Business Days

     

    8-12 Weeks

    Within 7 Business Days
    Delivery Receipts (Selected Carriers*)

    No (carrier will send a received status code, but there will be no confirmation receipt) 

    Yes Yes

    *Bell Mobility, Telus, Fido Solutions, and Rogers Wireless

    SMS Compliance

    Opt In Requirements: 

    All receiving recipients must be opted in to receive the content they have signed up for. Senders must be able to provide opt in methods if there is a carrier request.

    Sending to purchased/imported lists of recipients who have not opted in is not allowed.

    Opt Out and Help Requirements:

    Customers will be responsible for all opt out, “STOP, END, INFO, AIDE, ARRET, CANCEL” and “HELP”, commands that are sent from their clients.

    If “STOP, END, CANCEL, and ARRET” is received, the number must be blocked from receiving additional SMS from the sender id. 

    If “HELP, INFO, or AIDE” is received, the sender must respond with an email or contact number of the sender id. 

    Sender ID Header Requirement:

    All SMS must have their identification name in the header of the message.

    Example: If “8x8” is the brand name, the messaging format must be:

    “8x8: Hello this is a message from 8x8.”

    Prohibited Content:

    Carriers prohibit SMS messaging when it is unsolicited commercial content and considers this content to be "spam".

    The following types of messaging on all SMS messaging products (Long code, Toll-Free, Dedicated/FTEU Short Codes) are all prohibited:

    • Content or links to content related to sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, or tobacco

    Fraud and Phishing:

    • Attempts to gain unauthorized access or username/password data
    •  Password or PII (Personally Identifiable Information) gathering
    •  If it's illegal, it's not allowed

    Impersonation:

    • Impersonating a brand and/or identity of someone or something
    • Using brand names or marks without the consent of the brand

    Industry Reference(s):

    CWTA Guidelines (Canada)

  • USA SMS: Products and Compliance

    United States

    Sender ID Numeric. All SMS sent to the US must originate from either a U.S. pre-approved long number or short code. Alphanumeric sender IDs are not supported.
    Dialing code 1
    Major Carriers AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint
    Number portability Yes
    Message length 160 characters. 
    Support for Concatenated message No
    Sender ID Supported - Long Code (dedicated number) standard 10-digit phone numbers that are used to send and receive text messages and handle voice calls
    - Dedicated/FTEU Short Code
    - Toll-Free
    Setup Time  Within 7 business Days for Long Code & Toll-Free
    6 to 8 weeks for Dedicated Short Code 
    Support for Two Way SMS Within the US and Canada only (Both USA and Canada are able to send and receive Two Way SMS)

    All USA SMS channels use numeric sender’s only. 

    8x8 currently offers 3 types of Sender ID channels: Short/TFEU Codes, Long Codes, and Toll-Free

    Dedicated

    Short Code

    • Short Codes are carrier approved programs, all short code programs are verified and tested by the carriers before they are live. 
    • Short Codes offer superior speed and reliability.
    • Short Code routes support binary and Unicode encoding, and delivery receipts.
    • Short Codes are short 5+ numeric codes (ex. 11111), easy to remember and dedicated. 
    • Short Code supports GSM 7-bit default alphabet and extension table - 3GPP TS 23.038

    Free To End User Short Code (FTEU) 

    • Offers the same feature as Dedicated Short Code.
    • The owner of the Free to End User Short code will be responsible for all costs (inbound and outbound).
    Long Code
    • Long Codes are standard 10 digit numbers that are text enabled for SMS
    • Long Codes are best used for one to one messaging or services messages. 
    • When used for high volume, more Long Codes may be required in order to process all messages. 
    • Special characters are not supported.
    • Repeated Links and prohibited content are blocked by the carriers.
    • Long Code supports binary and Unicode encoding
    • Long Code does not support delivery receipts.
    • Long Code supports GSM 7-bit default alphabet and extension table - 3GPP TS 23.038
    Toll-Free
    • Toll-Free support binary and Unicode encoding, and delivery receipts.
    • Both inbound and outbound SMS will be billed. 
    • Toll-Free has higher speeds and throughputs over Long Codes.
    • Toll-Free content must be whitelisted before a number can go live.
    • Public URL shorteners are not allowed and will be blocked by the carriers. 
    • Rotation of Toll-Free numbers will result in carrier blocks. 
    • Toll-Free supports GSM 7-bit default alphabet and extension table - 3GPP TS 23.038

    US Delivery Options

    U.S. SMS Sending Options Long Code Dedicated Short Code / Free to End User (FTEU) Toll-Free
    Example 12013511943 12345 1-888-555-5555
    Throughput Limit 1 MPS 100 MPS 30 MPS
    Coverage to Canada Yes No (Customer must purchase a Canadian dedicated short code) Yes
    Two Way SMS support Yes Yes Yes
    Suggested Use Case

     

    1 to 1 Messaging, Notification Alerts Non-Marketing,

    Customer Service,

    and Chat Applications

    High Volume Messaging,

    Marketing

     

    High Volume Messaging, 
    2FA, OTP,
    Notifications

     

    Setup Time Up to 7 Business Days

    8-12 Weeks

    Up to 7 Business Days
    Delivery Receipts (Selected Carriers*)

    No

    (carrier will send a received status code, but there will be no confirmation receipt) 

    Yes Yes

    *Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint

    SMS Compliance

    Opt In Requirements:

    All receiving recipients must be opted in to receive the content they have signed up for.

    Senders must be able to provide opt in methods if there is a carrier request.

    Sending to purchased/imported lists of recipients who have not opted in is not allowed.

     

    Opt Out and Help Requirements:

    Customers will be responsible for all opt out, “STOP, END, CANCEL” and “HELP”, commands that are sent from their clients.

    If “STOP, END, CANCEL” is received, the number must be blocked from receiving additional SMS from the sender ID. 

    Example if a recipient texts in “STOP”, the following should be sent:

    “You have unsubscribed to 8x8 messaging, Reply HELP for help.”

    If “HELP” is received, the sender must respond with an email or contact number of the sender ID. 

    Example if a recipient texts in “HELP”, the following should be sent:

    “8x8: Help at 888888888, msg&data rates may apply, 2msg/mo of alerts, Reply STOP to cancel”

     

    Express Consent and Written Express Consent: 

    Solicitation messaging requires proof of written consent. Evidence may include electronic opt-ins via mobile keyword and online sign-up pages. Written consent may be evidenced by paper sign-up forms explicitly describing SMS messaging content.

    Non-solicitation messages (e.g., internal communications, emergency alerts) require documented written or verbal consent.

     

    Sender ID Header and Footer Requirements:

    All SMS must have their identification name in the header of the message.

    Example: If “8x8” is the brand name, the messaging format must be:

    “8x8: Hello this is a message from 8x8”

    Additionally if you are sending marketing messages, they require an Opt out and Help footer. 

    Example: “8x8: Save 10% on your next order, Reply HELP for Help, Reply STOP to cancel.” 

     

    Prohibited Content:

    Carriers prohibit SMS messaging when it is unsolicited commercial content and considers this content to be "spam".

    The following types of messaging on all SMS messaging products (Long code, Toll-Free, Dedicated/FTEU Short Codes) are all prohibited:

    • Content or links to content related to sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, or tobacco
    • Financial offerings
    • Payday loans
    • Short-term loans
    • Auto loans
    • Mortgage loans
    • Student loans
    • Debt consolidation and reduction
    • Debt forgiveness
    • Investment opportunities
    • Affiliate lead and/or commission generation
    • Credit repair programs
    • Tax relief programs
    • Work from home programs
    • Get rich quick programs 
    • Gambling
    • Illegal Drugs
    • Prescription Drugs

     

    Fraud and Phishing:

    • Attempts to gain unauthorized access or username/password data
    •  Password or PII (Personally Identifiable Information) gathering
    •  If it's illegal, it's not allowed

     

    Impersonation:

    • Impersonating a brand and/or identity of someone or something
    • Using brand names or marks without the consent of the brand

     

    Donations or Charity:

    • AT&T and T-Mobile will block all content that is based on text to donate or if it contains any type of charity related content.

     

    Industry References:

    •  CTIA's Messaging Principles and Best Practices (US)
    •  FTC Article / Definition of Spam (US)
    •  AT&T A2P Code of Conduct and Content Guidelines (US)
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