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Bahrain SMS Guidelines: Best Practices, Compliance, and Technical Considerations

When engaging in SMS communications in Bahrain, understanding local guidelines and technical specifics is crucial. This guide delves into key aspects such as two-way SMS support, number portability, message concatenation, and compliance considerations to optimize your SMS campaigns in Bahrain.

Understanding Two-way SMS Support

In Bahrain, two-way SMS is not supported. While you can send outbound SMS, receiving replies from users is not possible. If your strategy depends on two-way interactions, consider alternative channels or regions where this feature is available.

Number Portability in Bahrain

Number portability is available in Bahrain, allowing users to switch mobile service providers without changing their phone numbers. This ensures that the phone numbers in your database remain valid, facilitating consistent communication with your audience.

Concatenated Message Support

Bahrain supports concatenated messages, which means SMS exceeding the standard character limit will be split and reassembled on the recipient's device. Note that concatenation support may vary based on sender ID types and character encoding.

Message Length Considerations

The message length before splitting into concatenated segments depends on the encoding used (e.g., GSM-7 or UCS-2). Monitor character count and encoding to prevent unexpected splits that could affect message readability.

MMS Support Limitations

MMS is not directly supported in Bahrain. Multimedia messages are converted to SMS with an embedded URL, allowing users to view content via a link. Clearly communicate this to users to avoid confusion.

SMS to Landline Numbers

SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Bahrain. Attempts to do so will result in a 400 response with error code 21614, and the message will not be delivered. You will not be charged for these undelivered messages.

Compliance Considerations

Adhering to local regulations and best practices is essential for SMS campaigns in Bahrain:

  • Opt-in Consent: Obtain opt-in consent from users before sending communications, especially marketing messages.
  • Respect Local Time Zones: Send messages during the recipient’s daytime hours unless urgent.
  • Support HELP/STOP Messages: Ensure your campaigns support standard HELP/STOP messages in the local language.
  • Do-not-call Registries: Avoid contacting users on do-not-call lists to comply with local laws.

Conclusion

By adhering to these guidelines, your SMS campaigns in Bahrain can be both compliant and effective. Whether sending marketing messages, transactional notifications, or other communications, staying informed about local regulations and technical nuances is key to success.

For more information on SMS regulations, visit the Bahrain Telecommunications Regulatory Authority website.