Republic Of The Congo SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features

Republic Of The Congo SMS Market Overview

Market Conditions: The Republic of the Congo has a growing mobile market dominated by major operators including MTN Congo and Airtel Congo. SMS remains a crucial communication channel, particularly for business messaging and notifications. While OTT messaging apps are gaining popularity in urban areas, SMS maintains its importance due to its reliability and universal reach across both feature phones and smartphones. The market predominantly uses Android devices, with iOS having a smaller market share.

Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo supports basic SMS functionality with some limitations on advanced features, focusing primarily on one-way messaging capabilities.

Two-way SMS Support

Two-way SMS is not supported in the Republic of the Congo through standard A2P channels. Businesses should design their messaging strategies around one-way communication flows.

Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)

Support: Yes, concatenated messages are supported, though availability may vary by sender ID type.
Message length rules: Standard SMS length limits apply - 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding, 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding.
Encoding considerations: Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings are supported, with UCS-2 recommended for messages containing special characters or non-Latin alphabets.

MMS Support

MMS messages are not directly supported in the Republic of the Congo. When attempting to send MMS, the message will be automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link where recipients can view the media content. This ensures message delivery while providing access to multimedia content through web links.

Recipient Phone Number Compatibility

Number Portability

Number portability is not available in the Republic of the Congo. This means mobile numbers remain tied to their original network operators, which can simplify message routing and delivery.

Sending SMS to Landlines

Sending SMS to landline numbers is not possible in the Republic of the Congo. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in delivery failure, with APIs typically returning a 400 response with error code 21614. These messages will not appear in logs and accounts will not be charged.

Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Republic Of The Congo

The Republic of the Congo's telecommunications sector is regulated by the Agence de Régulation des Postes et des Communications Électroniques (ARPCE). While specific SMS marketing regulations are still evolving, businesses must follow general telecommunications guidelines and international best practices for messaging.

Consent and Opt-In

Explicit Consent Requirements:

• Obtain clear, documented consent before sending marketing messages
• Maintain records of how and when consent was obtained
• Clearly communicate the type and frequency of messages recipients will receive
• Provide transparent information about the sending organization

HELP/STOP and Other Commands

• All SMS campaigns must support standard opt-out keywords:
  • STOP, ARRET, ARRÊT (French)
  • HELP, AIDE (French)
• Messages should be processed in both French and English
• Confirmation messages must be sent when users opt out
• Response times for HELP/STOP commands should be immediate

Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries

While the Republic of the Congo does not maintain an official Do Not Call registry, businesses should:

• Maintain their own suppression lists
• Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
• Implement proper database management to track opted-out numbers
• Regularly clean contact lists to remove inactive or opted-out numbers

Time Zone Sensitivity

The Republic of the Congo observes UTC+1 time zone. Best practices include:

• Sending messages between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM local time
• Avoiding messages during religious holidays and Sundays
• Limiting urgent messages outside business hours to genuine emergencies

Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for in Republic Of The Congo

Alphanumeric Sender ID

Operator network capability: Supported with restrictions
Registration requirements: Pre-registration required, takes approximately 3 weeks
Sender ID preservation: Yes for registered IDs, but may be overwritten on certain networks

Long Codes

Domestic vs. International:

• Domestic long codes not supported
• International long codes supported with limitations

Sender ID preservation: No, international numbers may be overwritten Provisioning time: N/A Use cases: Not recommended for primary messaging strategy

Short Codes

Support: Not currently supported in the Republic of the Congo Provisioning time: N/A Use cases: N/A

Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases

Restricted Industries and Content:

• Gambling and betting services
• Adult content or services
• Unauthorized financial services
• Political campaign messages without proper authorization
• Pharmaceutical promotions without proper licensing

Content Filtering

Known Carrier Filtering Rules:

• Messages containing certain keywords may be blocked
• URLs may be filtered or blocked on some networks
• High-frequency messaging patterns may trigger spam filters

Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:

• Avoid URL shorteners
• Use clear, professional language
• Maintain consistent sending patterns
• Include clear sender identification
• Avoid excessive punctuation and all-caps text

Best Practices for Sending SMS in Republic Of The Congo

Messaging Strategy

• Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
• Include clear call-to-actions
• Maintain consistent branding
• Use personalization thoughtfully

Sending Frequency and Timing

• Limit to 2-3 messages per week per recipient
• Respect local holidays and customs
• Schedule campaigns during business hours
• Space out bulk sends to avoid network congestion

Localization

• Primary language: French
• Consider including both French and English for international businesses
• Use proper character encoding for special characters
• Respect local cultural sensitivities

Opt-Out Management

• Process opt-outs within 24 hours
• Send confirmation of opt-out receipt
• Maintain accurate opt-out databases
• Regular audit of opt-out lists

Testing and Monitoring

• Test messages across all major carriers (MTN, Airtel)
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier
• Track engagement metrics
• Regular testing of opt-out functionality
• Monitor for carrier filtering patterns

SMS API integrations for Republic Of The Congo

Twilio

Twilio provides a robust SMS API for sending messages to the Republic of the Congo. Here's how to implement it:

import * as Twilio from 'twilio';

// Initialize Twilio client with your credentials
const client = new Twilio(
  process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID,
  process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

// Function to send SMS to Republic of the Congo
async function sendSMSToCongo(
  to: string,
  message: string,
  senderId: string
): Promise<void> {
  try {
    // Ensure proper formatting for Congo numbers (+242)
    const formattedNumber = to.startsWith('+242') ? to : `+242${to}`;

    const response = await client.messages.create({
      body: message,
      from: senderId, // Registered alphanumeric sender ID
      to: formattedNumber,
      // Optional parameters for delivery tracking
      statusCallback: 'https://your-webhook-url.com/status'
    });

    console.log(`Message sent successfully! SID: ${response.sid}`);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending message:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

Sinch

Sinch offers comprehensive SMS capabilities for the Republic of the Congo market:

import { SinchClient } from '@sinch/sdk';

// Initialize Sinch client
const sinchClient = new SinchClient({
  servicePlanId: process.env.SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID,
  apiToken: process.env.SINCH_API_TOKEN
});

// Function to send SMS using Sinch
async function sendSMSWithSinch(
  recipientNumber: string,
  messageText: string
): Promise<void> {
  try {
    const response = await sinchClient.messages.send({
      from: 'YOUR_SENDER_ID', // Registered sender ID
      to: [recipientNumber],
      body: messageText,
      // Optional delivery report URL
      deliveryReport: 'URL'
    });

    console.log('Message sent successfully:', response.id);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Failed to send message:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

MessageBird

MessageBird provides a straightforward API for sending SMS to the Congo:

import messagebird from 'messagebird';

// Initialize MessageBird client
const messageBirdClient = messagebird(process.env.MESSAGEBIRD_API_KEY);

// Function to send SMS via MessageBird
function sendSMSViaMessageBird(
  recipient: string,
  message: string
): Promise<void> {
  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    messageBirdClient.messages.create({
      originator: 'YOUR_SENDER_ID',
      recipients: [recipient],
      body: message,
      // Optional parameters
      reference: 'your-reference',
      reportUrl: 'your-webhook-url'
    }, (err, response) => {
      if (err) {
        reject(err);
        return;
      }
      resolve(response);
    });
  });
}

Plivo

Plivo's API implementation for Congo SMS messaging:

import plivo from 'plivo';

// Initialize Plivo client
const plivoClient = new plivo.Client(
  process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_ID,
  process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

// Function to send SMS using Plivo
async function sendSMSWithPlivo(
  to: string,
  message: string
): Promise<void> {
  try {
    const response = await plivoClient.messages.create({
      src: 'YOUR_SENDER_ID', // Registered sender ID
      dst: to,
      text: message,
      // Optional parameters
      url: 'your-status-url',
      method: 'POST'
    });

    console.log('Message sent successfully:', response);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending message:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

API Rate Limits and Throughput

• Default rate limit: 30 messages per second
• Batch sending limit: 500 recipients per request
• Daily sending quotas may apply based on account type

Strategies for Large-Scale Sending:

• Implement queuing system for high-volume campaigns
• Use batch APIs when possible
• Schedule messages across multiple time windows
• Monitor delivery rates and adjust sending speed

Error Handling and Reporting

Common Error Scenarios:

• Invalid phone number format
• Network congestion
• Sender ID rejection
• Message content filtering

Logging Best Practices:

• Implement comprehensive error logging
• Track delivery receipts
• Monitor carrier responses
• Set up automated alerts for high failure rates

Recap and Additional Resources

Key Takeaways

1. Compliance Priorities:

   • Obtain explicit consent
   • Honor opt-out requests
   • Maintain clean contact lists

2. Technical Considerations:

   • Use registered sender IDs
   • Implement proper error handling
   • Monitor delivery rates

3. Best Practices:

   • Send during business hours
   • Use appropriate language (French/English)
   • Keep messages concise and relevant

Next Steps

1. Review ARPCE regulations (https://www.arpce.cg)
2. Consult legal counsel for compliance review
3. Set up test campaigns with major carriers
4. Implement proper monitoring and reporting

Additional Resources

• ARPCE Guidelines: https://www.arpce.cg/publications
• Telecommunications Law: https://www.sgg.cg/telecommunications
• Industry Best Practices: https://www.gsma.com/africa/guidelines

Contact Information:

• ARPCE Support: contact@arpce.cg
• Technical Support: Available through your chosen SMS provider
• Legal Resources: Local telecommunications counsel recommended