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SMS Guidelines for Bolivia: Two-Way Messaging, Compliance, and Best Practices

Introduction

Navigating SMS communication in Bolivia requires understanding specific local guidelines. Whether for marketing or transactional purposes, compliance with regulations and technical capabilities is vital for successful message delivery.

This guide covers essential SMS guidelines for Bolivia, focusing on two-way SMS support, message length, and compliance best practices.

Locale Overview

Bolivia, identified by the ISO code BO and mobile country code 736, uses the dialing code +591. This code is necessary when sending SMS messages to Bolivian numbers from outside the country.

Two-Way SMS Support

Bolivia offers two-way SMS capabilities, allowing businesses to send and receive messages from users. This feature is beneficial for interactive customer communication, such as support or marketing initiatives.

Number Portability

Currently, number portability is unavailable in Bolivia. Users cannot keep their mobile numbers when changing network providers, which can impact long-term communication strategies.

Message Length and Concatenation

Bolivia supports concatenated messages, enabling the transmission of lengthy messages split into multiple segments, which are reassembled on the recipient's device. Note that concatenation behavior may vary based on character encoding and sender ID types.

MMS Support

Bolivia does not natively support Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). Instead, MMS messages are converted to SMS with an embedded URL, ensuring content delivery in an alternate format.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

Sending SMS to landline numbers in Bolivia is not supported. Attempts will result in a 400 error with code 21614, and such messages will not be logged or charged.

Compliance Considerations

Ensuring compliance with Bolivian laws is crucial. Consult with legal counsel to review your SMS use cases. Here are some general best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Secure explicit opt-in consent from users before sending communications, especially for marketing.
  • Daytime Communication: Send messages during local daytime hours unless urgent.
  • Support HELP/STOP Messages: Ensure SMS campaigns support commands like HELP and STOP, with responses in the local language.
  • Respect Do-Not-Call Registries: Adhere to local do-not-call lists to avoid legal issues.

Conclusion

Adhering to SMS guidelines in Bolivia is essential for successful messaging campaigns. Following these best practices ensures compliance and enhances user engagement. While Bolivia supports two-way SMS, be aware of limitations like the lack of number portability and the inability to send SMS to landlines.

For more detailed information or to begin SMS operations in Bolivia, consult with legal advisors and configure your messaging platform accordingly.

For official guidelines, refer to the Bolivian Telecommunications Authority website.