What is the maximum SMS message length in Colombia?

The maximum SMS message length in Colombia is 160 characters when using ASCII encoding.

Does Colombia support two-way SMS communication?

Yes, Colombia fully supports two-way SMS, allowing interaction between businesses and customers.

Is number portability available in Colombia for mobile users?

Yes, number portability is available in Colombia, allowing users to switch providers while keeping their phone numbers.

What is the dialing code for Colombia?

The dialing code for Colombia is +57.

Are businesses required to obtain consent before sending SMS messages in Colombia?

Yes, businesses must obtain explicit opt-in consent from users before sending SMS communications, especially for marketing purposes.

Is two-way SMS supported in Colombia?

Yes, two-way SMS is supported in Colombia.

Can I send SMS to landline numbers in Colombia?

No, SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Colombia.

What is the character limit for a single SMS in Colombia?

The character limit for a single SMS using ASCII encoding is 160 characters.

What are the compliance requirements for sending SMS in Colombia?

Businesses must obtain opt-in consent, respect time zones, support STOP/HELP commands, and avoid do-not-disturb registries.

Can SMS messages be sent to users on do-not-disturb registries in Colombia?

No, businesses should avoid sending SMS messages to users who are listed on do-not-disturb or do-not-call registries.

Is it necessary to support STOP/HELP commands in SMS communications in Colombia?

Yes, businesses should support STOP/HELP commands to allow recipients to opt out or seek assistance.

What should businesses consider when timing their SMS messages in Colombia?

Businesses should send SMS messages during the recipient's local daytime hours, unless the message is urgent.

What is the Mobile Country Code (MCC) for Colombia?

The Mobile Country Code (MCC) for Colombia is 732.

How are long SMS messages handled in Colombia?

Messages exceeding 160 characters are split into segments and reassembled at the recipient's device, though concatenation may not be supported for all sender IDs.

What region is Colombia located in?

Colombia is located in South America.

What error code is returned when sending an SMS to a Colombian landline?

The error code 21614 is returned when attempting to send an SMS to a landline in Colombia.

Are there specific hours during which SMS messages should be sent in Colombia?

Yes, messages should be sent during the recipient's local daytime hours unless they are urgent.

What is the ISO code for Colombia?

The ISO code for Colombia is CO.

What should businesses do to optimize SMS campaigns in Colombia?

Businesses should follow technical and legal requirements, obtain consent, respect time zones, support opt-out commands, and avoid do-not-disturb registries to optimize SMS campaigns.

Comprehensive SMS Guidelines for Colombia (CO)

Q: Can I send multimedia messages via MMS in Colombia?

No, traditional MMS is not supported in Colombia. Instead, multimedia content is sent as an SMS with an embedded URL.

Q: What happens if I send an SMS to a landline number in Colombia?

Sending an SMS to a landline in Colombia will result in a 400 response with error code 21614, and the message will not be logged or charged.

Sending SMS in Colombia requires understanding key technical and regulatory aspects. Whether for marketing or transactional purposes, compliance and best practices are essential for successful message delivery. This guide provides detailed insights into SMS regulations and technical guidelines in Colombia.

Locale Overview

Country: Colombia
ISO Code: CO
Region: South America
Mobile Country Code (MCC): 732
Dialing Code: +57

Two-Way SMS Support

Colombia fully supports two-way SMS, facilitating seamless interaction between businesses and customers. This feature is crucial for customer service, feedback, and transactional messaging.

Number Portability

Colombian users can switch mobile service providers while keeping their phone numbers, thanks to number portability. This is vital for businesses to maintain consistent communication, regardless of the customer's mobile carrier.

Message Length & Concatenation

Maximum Message Length: 160 characters (ASCII encoding)
Concatenation: Messages exceeding the limit are split into segments and reassembled at the recipient's device. Note that concatenation may not be supported for all sender ID types.

MMS Support

Traditional Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is not supported in Colombia. Instead, multimedia content is sent as an SMS with an embedded URL, allowing recipients to view the content online.

Sending SMS to Landlines

SMS messages cannot be sent to landline numbers in Colombia. Attempting to do so will result in a 400 response with error code 21614, and the message will not be logged or charged.

Compliance Considerations

To comply with Colombian laws and best practices, businesses should:

Obtain Opt-In Consent: Secure explicit consent from users before sending communications, especially for marketing.
Respect Time Zones: Send messages during the recipient's local daytime hours, unless urgent.
Support STOP/HELP Commands: Allow recipients to use HELP or STOP commands in their language to opt out or seek assistance.
Avoid Do-Not-Disturb Registries: Do not send messages to users listed on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries.

Conclusion

Understanding SMS guidelines in Colombia is essential for effective business communication. From two-way SMS support to compliance, following these best practices ensures successful message delivery and adherence to local regulations.

By meeting the outlined technical and legal requirements, businesses can optimize SMS campaigns and enhance customer engagement in Colombia.

For more information on telecommunications regulations, visit the Colombian Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications.