Is two-way SMS supported in South Africa?

Yes, Sent supports two-way SMS in South Africa.

Can I send SMS to landline numbers in South Africa?

No, SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers. The Sent REST API will throw a 400 response with error code 21614 if attempted.

What are the restrictions for sending direct marketing messages in South Africa?

Direct marketing messages should not be sent on Sundays, public holidays, Saturdays before 9am and after 1pm, and all other days between 8pm and 8am, unless the consumer has expressly agreed otherwise.

Is MMS supported for SMS messaging in South Africa?

Direct MMS is not supported. Instead, MMS messages are converted to SMS with an embedded URL for recipients to view multimedia content via a web link.

Can SMS be sent to landline numbers in South Africa?

No, sending SMS to landline numbers in South Africa is not supported and will result in a 400 response with error code 21614, meaning the message will not be delivered.

What are the direct marketing restrictions for SMS in South Africa?

Direct marketing messages should not be sent on Sundays, public holidays, Saturdays before 9am and after 1pm, or any day between 8pm and 8am unless the recipient agrees.

What is required for opt-in consent in South Africa?

Businesses must obtain opt-in consent from each end user before sending any marketing or non-essential communications to comply with privacy laws.

What are HELP/STOP commands in SMS campaigns?

HELP/STOP commands allow users to manage their communication preferences easily and should be supported in the end user’s local language.

Are there any do-not-call registries in South Africa?

Yes, businesses should not contact users listed on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries to avoid legal penalties.

What are the best times to send SMS messages in South Africa?

Messages should be sent during the recipient’s daytime hours unless urgent or previously agreed upon.

How does message length affect SMS campaigns in South Africa?

Longer messages may be split into multiple segments, which can affect user experience. It's best to use concise language.

Why is legal compliance important for SMS marketing in South Africa?

Legal compliance ensures that SMS campaigns adhere to South African laws, reducing the risk of legal issues and penalties.

What is the WASPA Code of Conduct?

The WASPA Code of Conduct is a set of regulations that businesses must adhere to when sending SMS messages, particularly for direct marketing.

What should businesses do to ensure SMS compliance in South Africa?

Businesses should consult legal counsel, adhere to the WASPA Code of Conduct, and obtain opt-in consent from users.

What opportunities does South Africa offer for SMS communication?

South Africa supports two-way messaging and number portability, providing excellent opportunities for effective SMS communication.

How can businesses maximize the effectiveness of their SMS campaigns in South Africa?

By following best practices such as respecting time zones, managing message length, and ensuring legal compliance.

Where can I find more information on SMS compliance in South Africa?

More information on compliance can be found on the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) website.

What character encoding issues might affect SMS messaging in South Africa?

Character encoding can affect how concatenated messages are split and reassembled, impacting message delivery.

Are there specific regulations for sending SMS on public holidays in South Africa?

Yes, marketing messages should not be sent on public holidays unless the recipient has agreed to receive them.

What is the error code for attempting to send an SMS to a landline in South Africa?

The error code is 21614, indicating that the message cannot be delivered to a landline number.

South Africa SMS Guidelines: Best Practices and Compliance

Q: What is two-way SMS support in South Africa?

Two-way SMS support in South Africa allows businesses to engage in interactive conversations with customers, enabling replies and further engagement.

Q: Can mobile numbers be ported in South Africa?

Yes, number portability is available in South Africa, allowing end users to retain their mobile numbers even when switching between mobile network operators.

Q: How does message concatenation work in South Africa?

Message concatenation is supported, which allows longer messages to be split into multiple SMS segments and reassembled on the recipient’s device, depending on character encoding and sender ID types.

When sending SMS messages to South Africa, understanding local guidelines and compliance regulations is crucial for successful delivery and avoiding legal issues. This guide outlines key aspects of SMS messaging in South Africa, including two-way SMS support, message length considerations, and compliance with local marketing regulations.

Key SMS Features for South Africa

Two-Way SMS Support

In South Africa, two-way SMS is fully supported, allowing businesses to engage in interactive conversations with customers, enabling replies and further engagement.

Number Portability

Number portability is available, allowing end users to retain their mobile numbers even when switching between mobile network operators, ensuring uninterrupted communication.

Concatenated Message Support

Message concatenation is supported, allowing longer messages to be split into multiple SMS segments and reassembled on the recipient’s device. This process may vary depending on character encoding and specific sender ID types.

MMS Support

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is not directly supported. Instead, MMS messages are converted to SMS with an embedded URL, allowing recipients to view multimedia content via a web link.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

Sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported. Attempting to send an SMS to a landline number will result in a 400 response with error code 21614, and the message will not be delivered.

Compliance Considerations

To comply with local laws and regulations, adhere to the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) Code of Conduct, particularly Article 16, which regulates direct marketing messages.

Direct Marketing Restrictions: Avoid sending marketing messages on Sundays, public holidays, Saturdays before 9am and after 1pm, or any day between 8pm and 8am, unless the recipient agrees.
Opt-In Consent: Obtain opt-in consent from each end user before sending any marketing or non-essential communications to comply with privacy laws.
HELP/STOP Support: Ensure SMS campaigns support commands like HELP and STOP, recognized in the end user’s local language for easy management of communication preferences.
Do-Not-Call Registries: Do not contact users listed on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries to avoid legal penalties.

Best Practices for SMS Messaging in South Africa

To ensure a successful SMS campaign, follow these best practices:

Respect Time Zones: Send messages during the recipient’s daytime hours unless urgent or agreed otherwise.
Message Length: Be mindful of message length as longer messages may be split into multiple segments, affecting user experience. Use concise language.
Legal Compliance: Consult legal counsel to ensure SMS campaigns comply with South African laws, especially for marketing messages.

Conclusion

South Africa offers excellent opportunities for SMS communication with full support for two-way messaging and number portability. However, compliance with local regulations is essential, particularly for marketing messages. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you can maximize the effectiveness of your SMS campaigns while ensuring legal compliance.

For more information on compliance, visit the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association website.