SMS Guidelines for Cook Islands: Best Practices and Compliance
Explore the essential SMS guidelines for sending messages to recipients in the Cook Islands. This guide covers compliance, message length, and SMS limitations to ensure your campaigns are effective and adhere to local regulations.
Locale Overview
The Cook Islands, situated in the Oceania region, is identified by the ISO code "CK" and uses the mobile country code "548." The international dialing code is "+682." Familiarity with these details is vital for configuring your SMS campaigns correctly.
Two-Way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in the Cook Islands. Users cannot reply to SMS messages, so consider alternatives like voice calls or other messaging platforms for interactive communication.
Number Portability
Number portability is unavailable in the Cook Islands. Users cannot transfer their mobile numbers between carriers, which may impact the stability of your contact lists.
Message Length and Concatenation
In the Cook Islands, concatenated messages are not supported. Ensure your SMS messages remain within the standard character limits to prevent issues.
MMS Support
MMS messages are converted to SMS with an embedded URL in the Cook Islands. Test this feature to ensure recipients can access the media via the provided link.
Sending SMS to Landline Numbers
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported. Attempting to do so will result in a 400 error with code 21614 from the Sent REST API. Ensure your contact lists contain only valid mobile numbers.
Compliance Considerations
Compliance is crucial for international SMS campaigns. Review your use cases with legal counsel to ensure adherence to local laws. Here are some best practices:
- Get Opt-in Consent: Obtain explicit consent from users before sending any communications.
- Respect Local Time Zones: Send messages during local daytime hours unless urgent.
- Support HELP/STOP Messages: Ensure your campaigns can process these messages in the local language.
- Avoid Do-Not-Call Registries: Do not contact users on do-not-call lists to avoid legal issues.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your SMS campaigns are effective and compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Cook Islands support two-way SMS?
No, two-way SMS is not supported. Users cannot reply to messages.
Can I send SMS to landline numbers in Cook Islands?
No, sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported. A 400 error will occur if attempted.
Is number portability available in Cook Islands?
No, number portability is not available. Users cannot transfer mobile numbers between carriers.
Adhering to these guidelines will help you run successful and compliant SMS campaigns in the Cook Islands. Tailor your campaigns to the locale's unique regulations to maximize effectiveness and avoid legal pitfalls.
For more information on international SMS regulations, visit the official Cook Islands government website.