Yemen SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features

What Is Yemen's SMS Market and Telecommunications Landscape?

Yemen's SMS market serves businesses and developers needing reliable mobile messaging solutions for OTP authentication, transactional notifications, and marketing campaigns. Yemen's mobile telecommunications market operates with 20.83 million cellular mobile connections as of early 2024 (an increase of 1.1 million or +5.5% from 2023). Four primary mobile network operators serve the market:

• Yemen Mobile: 45% market share, 14 million subscribers (end-2022), first operator to provide 4G LTE (January 2021)
• Sabafon: 30% market share
• YOU/Yemeni Omani United (formerly MTN Yemen): 25% market share
• Y Telecom: Emerging operator

SMS is critical for business communications, OTP authentication, and transactional notifications in Yemen, where 18% internet penetration makes SMS more reliable than app-based messaging. The Yemen Telecom MNO Market will reach USD 1.99 billion in 2025, growing at 4.34% CAGR to USD 2.46 billion by 2030.

Infrastructure challenges: The ongoing civil conflict disrupts mobile towers and fiber networks frequently. Expect delivery delays and implement retry logic with exponential backoff. Monitor delivery rates by operator and maintain backup communication channels for critical messages.

What SMS Features and Capabilities Are Available in Yemen?

Yemen supports basic SMS functionality with limitations on advanced features. Focus on one-way messaging for business and authentication purposes.

Two-way SMS Support

Yemen operators do not support two-way SMS. You cannot receive replies or build interactive messaging campaigns.

Alternatives for two-way communication:

• Use web forms or apps for replies
• Provide a phone number for voice responses
• Include a unique URL with tracking parameters in each SMS
• Implement email-based responses for non-urgent interactions

Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)

Support: Yes, concatenated messages work across all Yemen operators.

Message length limits:

• GSM-7 encoding (English, numbers, basic symbols): 160 characters per segment, 153 characters for multi-part messages
• UCS-2 encoding (Arabic, emojis, special characters): 70 characters per segment, 67 characters for multi-part messages

Encoding considerations: Use UCS-2 for Arabic text and special characters. Each segment counts as a separate message for billing purposes. For more on phone number formatting standards, see E.164 phone format guidelines.

MMS Support

Yemen does not support MMS directly. SMS APIs automatically convert MMS to SMS with a hosted URL.

Example conversion:

Limitations:

• Recipients need internet access to view media
• Links expire after 30 days (varies by provider)
• No guarantee recipients will click the link

Recipient Phone Number Compatibility

Number Portability

Number portability does not exist in Yemen. Mobile numbers stay with their original operators.

Network prefixes for routing:

Sending SMS to Landlines

You cannot send SMS to Yemen landlines. Attempts fail with error code 21614, and no charges apply.

What Are the Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Yemen?

Yemen lacks comprehensive SMS marketing regulations. Follow general telecommunications guidelines and international best practices. The Yemen Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) oversees services but enforces few specific SMS rules. Non-compliance may result in sender ID blocking or account suspension by individual operators.

Consent and Opt-In

Obtain explicit opt-in consent:

• Get consent before sending marketing or promotional messages
• Document consent with timestamp, method, and user identifier
• State message type and frequency clearly
• Explain how you will use personal data
• Provide clear terms and conditions

Consent template example:

HELP/STOP and Other Commands

Implement standard opt-out mechanisms:

• Support English and Arabic keywords
• English: STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, HELP, INFO
• Arabic: إيقاف (STOP), إلغاء (CANCEL), مساعدة (HELP)
• Maintain an audit trail of opt-out requests
• Process opt-outs within 24 hours

Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries

Yemen has no official Do Not Call registry. Maintain your own:

• Build suppression lists in your database
• Honor opt-out requests immediately
• Create internal do-not-contact tables
• Clean and update contact lists quarterly

Time Zone Sensitivity

Yemen operates in Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3, no daylight saving).

Recommended sending hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time

Avoid these times:

• Prayer times (approximate, vary by season):
  • Fajr: 4:30–5:30 AM
  • Dhuhr: 12:00–12:30 PM
  • Asr: 3:30–4:00 PM
  • Maghrib: 6:00–6:30 PM
  • Isha: 7:30–8:00 PM
• Late nights: After 10:00 PM
• Early mornings: Before 8:00 AM
• Ramadan: Avoid messages during fasting hours (dawn to sunset)

Emergency messages: Send critical transactional messages anytime.

Dynamic prayer time calculation: Use the adhan npm package or Aladhan API to calculate exact prayer times for Sana'a timezone.

What Phone Number Options and SMS Sender Types Work in Yemen?

Alphanumeric Sender ID

Operator support: All networks support dynamic alphanumeric sender IDs for branded SMS messaging Registration requirements:

• Yemen Mobile (TeleYemen, CDMA): Pre-registration required
• Sabafon, YOU, Y Telecom: No registration needed

Yemen Mobile registration process:

1. Contact your SMS provider's support team
2. Submit company registration documents
3. Provide sender ID (3–11 characters, letters only)
4. Wait 5–10 business days for approval
5. Receive confirmation and start sending

Sender ID preservation: Not guaranteed. Operators may replace your sender ID with a generic numeric code (e.g., "123456" or "+967xxxxxxx") based on network policies or message volume.

Long Codes

Domestic vs. International:

• Domestic long codes: Not supported
• International long codes: Supported with limitations

Sender ID preservation: No – numeric sender IDs often become generic codes Provisioning time: Immediate Use cases: Transactional messages, OTP codes, account notifications

Short Codes

Yemen does not support short codes.

What SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases Are Restricted in Yemen?

Prohibited Content and Industries:

• Gambling and betting
• Cryptocurrency and forex trading
• Adult content
• Political messaging
• Loan traffic
• Unauthorized financial services

Enforcement: Operators use keyword filtering and pattern detection. Violations result in message blocking, sender ID suspension, or account termination.

Content Filtering

Carrier filtering rules:

• Restricted keywords: Automatically blocked (examples: "casino," "forex," "bitcoin," "loan," "political," "adult")
• URLs: May trigger scrutiny or blocking
• High-volume patterns: Flagged for review (>1,000 messages/hour)

Compliance checklist:

1. Scan message for prohibited keywords
2. Verify sender ID is registered/approved
3. Check sending volume against limits
4. Minimize or avoid URLs
5. Use professional, clear language

Tips to avoid blocking:

• Avoid sensitive keywords and phrases
• Use registered sender IDs
• Maintain consistent sending patterns (gradual volume increases)
• Limit URLs to 1 per message
• Test messages with small batches first

What Are the Best Practices for Sending SMS in Yemen?

Messaging Strategy

• Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
• Include clear calls-to-action
• Use personalization thoughtfully
• Avoid excessive punctuation and special characters

Sending Frequency and Timing

• Limit messages to 2–3 per week per recipient
• Respect prayer times and religious observances
• Avoid sending during sensitive periods
• Space out bulk campaigns to prevent network congestion

Localization

Support both Arabic and English content:

• Use proper Arabic character encoding (UCS-2)
• Consider cultural sensitivities
• Include appropriate greeting formats

Example Arabic greetings:

• Formal: السلام عليكم (As-salamu alaykum)
• Professional: عزيزي العميل (Dear customer)
• Casual: مرحباً (Hello)

Opt-Out Management

• Process opt-outs within 24 hours
• Maintain accurate opt-out records
• Include opt-out instructions in messages
• Audit opt-out lists regularly

Testing and Monitoring

Test across all major Yemen operators:

• Yemen Mobile
• Sabafon
• YOU
• Y Telecom

Monitor these metrics:

• Delivery rate (target: >90%)
• Failed delivery rate
• Bounce rate by operator
• Average delivery time
• Opt-out rate

Benchmarks for Yemen:

• Good delivery rate: >85%
• Acceptable delivery rate: 70–85%
• Poor delivery rate: <70% (investigate immediately)

How Do You Integrate SMS APIs for Yemen?

Twilio

Twilio provides a robust SMS API that supports messaging to Yemen. Here's how to implement it:

import { Twilio } from 'twilio';

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

// Function to send SMS to Yemen
async function sendSMSToYemen(
  to: string,
  message: string,
  senderId: string
): Promise<void> {
  try {
    // Ensure proper Yemen phone number formatting
    const formattedNumber = to.startsWith('+967') ? to : `+967${to}`;

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

    console.log(`Message sent successfully! SID: ${response.sid}`);
  } catch (error) {
    // Handle Yemen-specific errors
    if (error.code === 21614) {
      console.error('Cannot send to landline number');
    } else if (error.code === 21408) {
      console.error('Permission to send to Yemen not enabled');
    } else {
      console.error('Error sending message:', error);
    }
  }
}

Sinch

Sinch offers comprehensive SMS capabilities for Yemen with support for various sender ID types:

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

// Initialize Sinch client
const sinchClient = new SinchClient({
  projectId: process.env.SINCH_PROJECT_ID,
  keyId: process.env.SINCH_KEY_ID,
  keySecret: process.env.SINCH_KEY_SECRET
});

// Validate Yemen phone number
function validateYemenNumber(number: string): boolean {
  // Yemen mobile numbers: +967[7,1,3,8]xxxxxxx (9 digits after country code)
  const yemenRegex = /^\+967[7138]\d{7}$/;
  return yemenRegex.test(number);
}

// Function to send SMS using Sinch
async function sendSinchSMS(
  recipientNumber: string,
  messageText: string
): Promise<void> {
  try {
    if (!validateYemenNumber(recipientNumber)) {
      throw new Error('Invalid Yemen phone number format');
    }

    const response = await sinchClient.sms.batches.send({
      sendSMSRequestBody: {
        to: [recipientNumber],
        from: 'YourBrand', // Alphanumeric sender ID
        body: messageText,
        // Optional delivery report URL
        deliveryReport: 'URL'
      }
    });

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

MessageBird

MessageBird provides reliable SMS delivery to Yemen with advanced features:

import { MessageBird } from 'messagebird';

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

// Function to send SMS via MessageBird
async function sendMessageBirdSMS(
  to: string,
  message: string
): Promise<void> {
  const params = {
    originator: 'CompanyName',
    recipients: [to],
    body: message,
    // Optional parameters
    reportUrl: 'https://your-webhook.com/delivery-reports'
  };

  messagebird.messages.create(params, (err, response) => {
    if (err) {
      console.error('Error:', err);
      return;
    }
    console.log('Message sent successfully:', response);
  });
}

Plivo

Plivo offers straightforward SMS integration for Yemen:

import { Client } from 'plivo';

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

// Function to send SMS using Plivo
async function sendPlivoSMS(
  destination: string,
  message: string
): Promise<void> {
  try {
    const response = await client.messages.create({
      src: 'YourBrand', // Sender ID
      dst: destination,
      text: message,
      // Optional URL callback
      url: 'https://your-webhook.com/status'
    });

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

API Rate Limits and Throughput

Default limits:

• 1 message per second per destination
• 100 messages per batch
• Daily sending limits based on account type

Strategies for large-scale sending:

• Implement a queuing system (Redis, RabbitMQ, AWS SQS)
• Use batch APIs when available
• Space out sends to avoid carrier throttling
• Monitor delivery rates and adjust sending speed accordingly

Detecting rate limit errors:

• Twilio: Error code 20429
• Sinch: HTTP 429 status
• MessageBird: Error code 9
• Plivo: HTTP 429 status

Example queue implementation:

import Queue from 'bull';

const smsQueue = new Queue('yemen-sms', 'redis://127.0.0.1:6379');

// Add messages to queue
smsQueue.add({ to: '+967xxxxxxxxx', message: 'Hello' }, {
  attempts: 3,
  backoff: { type: 'exponential', delay: 2000 }
});

// Process queue with rate limiting
smsQueue.process(async (job) => {
  await sendSMSToYemen(job.data.to, job.data.message);
});

Error Handling and Reporting

Common error codes:

Logging best practices:

• Log all API requests and responses
• Track delivery receipts with message IDs
• Monitor bounce rates by operator
• Implement retry logic for failed messages (maximum 3 attempts)
• Store failed messages for manual review

Example error handling:

async function sendWithRetry(to: string, message: string, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= maxRetries; attempt++) {
    try {
      await sendSMSToYemen(to, message, 'YourBrand');
      return; // Success
    } catch (error) {
      if (error.code === 4004 && attempt < maxRetries) {
        // Rate limit - wait and retry
        await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 2000 * attempt));
        continue;
      }
      // Log failure
      console.error(`Failed after ${attempt} attempts:`, error);
      throw error;
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions About Yemen SMS

What is Yemen's country code and phone number format for SMS?

Yemen uses country code +967 for all international calls and SMS messages. Mobile numbers follow the format +967[7, 1, 3, or 8][7-digit subscriber number], meaning mobile numbers start with digits 7, 1, 3, or 8 after the country code, followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. The total length is 9 digits after the country code. When formatting numbers for SMS APIs, always include the country code (+967) and remove any leading zero from the local number, as the zero is only for domestic dialing.

Validation regex: ^\+967[7138]\d{7}$

For comprehensive guidance on international SMS regulations, review SMS compliance best practices across different regions.

Which mobile operators provide SMS services in Yemen?

Yemen has four primary mobile network operators (MNOs) with their Mobile Network Codes (MNC):

Yemen Mobile became the first operator to provide 4G LTE internet in January 2021. As of early 2024, Yemen had 20.83 million total cellular mobile connections across all operators.

Technical support contacts:

• Yemen Mobile: support@yemenmobile.com.ye
• Sabafon: info@sabafon.com
• YOU: customercare@ye.yemenmobile.com

Is two-way SMS supported in Yemen?

No, two-way SMS is not currently supported in Yemen according to operator specifications. This limitation affects interactive messaging campaigns, automated response systems, and conversational SMS applications. You can only send one-way outbound messages to Yemen mobile numbers. If you need interactive communication with customers, consider alternative channels like WhatsApp Business API integration or plan for one-way notification-only messaging.

Do I need to register sender IDs for SMS in Yemen?

Registration requirements vary by operator:

Registration process for Yemen Mobile:

1. Contact your SMS provider's support team
2. Submit company registration documents (business license, tax ID)
3. Specify desired sender ID (3–11 alphanumeric characters, letters only)
4. Wait 5–10 business days for approval from Yemen Mobile
5. Receive confirmation email with approved sender ID
6. Configure sender ID in your SMS API settings

Sender ID preservation is not guaranteed – operators may replace your sender ID with a generic identifier depending on network policies and message volume.

What time zone does Yemen use and when should I send SMS messages?

Yemen operates in Arabia Standard Time (AST), which is UTC+3. Yemen does not observe daylight saving time, so the time zone remains constant year-round. Send SMS between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM Yemen local time. Avoid sending during Islamic prayer times (5 daily prayers: Fajr 4:30–5:30 AM, Dhuhr 12:00–12:30 PM, Asr 3:30–4:00 PM, Maghrib 6:00–6:30 PM, Isha 7:30–8:00 PM), late nights (after 10:00 PM), early mornings (before 8:00 AM), and Ramadan fasting hours (dawn to sunset). Send emergency or critical transactional messages anytime.

Is mobile number portability available in Yemen?

No, mobile number portability (MNP) is not currently available in Yemen. Mobile numbers remain tied to their original network operators, which simplifies message routing but limits consumer flexibility. When sending SMS, the first digits after +967 indicate the operator network: 7x for Yemen Mobile, 1x for CDMA operators, 3x for Sabafon, and 77 for YOU. This prefix system helps with routing but means users cannot switch operators while keeping their number.

What SMS content is prohibited or restricted in Yemen?

Yemen prohibits SMS content related to gambling and betting, cryptocurrency and forex trading, adult content, political messaging, loan traffic, and unauthorized financial services. Operators automatically block messages containing restricted keywords (examples: "casino," "forex," "bitcoin," "loan," "political," "adult"). URLs may trigger additional scrutiny, and high-volume sending patterns (>1,000 messages/hour) are flagged for review. Use registered sender IDs, maintain consistent sending patterns with gradual volume increases, minimize URLs (maximum 1 per message), and use clear, straightforward language to avoid blocking.

Which SMS APIs support sending messages to Yemen?

Major SMS API providers supporting Yemen:

All providers offer delivery status callbacks, error handling, and webhook integrations for tracking message delivery to Yemen numbers. Typical rate limits are 1 message per second per destination.

Does Yemen support MMS or multimedia messages?

MMS messages are not directly supported in Yemen. When you send MMS content, SMS APIs automatically convert it to standard SMS with an embedded URL link where recipients can view the multimedia content (images, videos, audio). This conversion ensures message delivery while maintaining access to rich media, but recipients must click the link and have internet access to view the content. Links typically expire after 30 days (varies by provider), and there's no guarantee recipients will click the link.

What regulations does the Yemen Ministry of Telecommunications enforce for SMS?

The Yemen Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) oversees telecommunications services, though specific SMS marketing regulations are limited. Yemen does not have a comprehensive SMS marketing regulatory framework like GDPR or TCPA. Follow international best practices: obtain explicit opt-in consent before sending marketing messages, implement STOP/HELP commands in both English and Arabic (إيقاف, إلغاء, مساعدة), process opt-out requests within 24 hours, maintain suppression lists, and respect cultural sensitivities including prayer times and Ramadan. Individual operators may suspend accounts or block sender IDs for non-compliance.

What Are the Key Takeaways and Additional Resources?

Key Takeaways

1. Compliance priorities:

   • Obtain explicit opt-in consent with documented timestamp and method
   • Respect prayer times (5 daily prayers) and send only 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
   • Avoid prohibited content (gambling, crypto, adult, political, loans)
   • Process opt-outs within 24 hours

2. Technical considerations:

   • Use +967 format for all phone numbers with proper validation
   • Register sender IDs for Yemen Mobile (5–10 business days)
   • Implement exponential backoff retry logic for infrastructure disruptions
   • Monitor delivery rates by operator (target >85%)
   • Use GSM-7 (160 chars) or UCS-2 (70 chars) encoding appropriately

3. Best practices:

   • Test across all 4 operators (Yemen Mobile, Sabafon, YOU, Y Telecom)
   • Maintain clean contact lists with quarterly audits
   • Implement rate limiting (1 msg/sec/destination)
   • Support Arabic (إيقاف) and English (STOP) opt-out keywords
   • Use queuing systems for high-volume campaigns

Next Steps

1. Review regulations (1–2 hours):

   • Read MTIT guidelines at mtit.gov.ye
   • Review operator-specific policies
   • Document compliance requirements

2. Set up test accounts (2–3 days):

   • Create developer accounts with Twilio/Sinch/MessageBird/Plivo
   • Request sandbox/test credentials
   • Register sender IDs for Yemen Mobile

3. Implement error handling (3–5 days):

   • Add retry logic with exponential backoff
   • Set up delivery receipt webhooks
   • Create monitoring dashboards for delivery rates

4. Establish compliance documentation (2–3 days):

   • Create consent collection forms
   • Build opt-out suppression lists
   • Document sender ID registration approvals

Estimated total setup time: 1–2 weeks

Additional Resources

Government and regulatory:

• Yemen Ministry of Telecommunications – MTIT official website with telecommunications policies
• International Telecommunications Union - Yemen Profile – ITU country profile with telecom statistics
• GSMA Guidelines for Yemen – Mobile industry standards and best practices

Technical documentation:

• Twilio Yemen Guidelines – Country-specific sending requirements and error codes
• Sinch API Documentation – SMS API reference and integration guides
• MessageBird API Reference – REST API documentation and SDKs
• Plivo API Guide – SMS API documentation and code examples

Tools and libraries:

• adhan npm package – Calculate Islamic prayer times
• Aladhan API – Prayer times API for Yemen (Sana'a)
• libphonenumber – Phone number validation library