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Gabon SMS Guidelines: Compliance, Features, and Best Practices

Discover essential SMS messaging guidelines for Gabon, focusing on mobile network details, compliance considerations, and technical features like concatenated messages. Whether you're planning SMS marketing or transactional messaging, understanding these rules is crucial.

Locale Overview

  • Locale Name: Gabon
  • ISO Code: GA
  • Region: Middle East & Africa
  • Mobile Country Code: 628
  • Dialing Code: +241

SMS Features in Gabon

Two-Way SMS Support

Two-way SMS is not supported in Gabon. This means you can send messages to users, but they cannot reply via SMS.

Number Portability

Number portability is not available in Gabon, affecting contact list management as users cannot retain their numbers when changing networks.

Concatenated Message Support

Gabon supports concatenated messages. Messages exceeding the SMS character limit are split and reassembled on the recipient's device. Note that this may not be supported for certain sender ID types, and splitting varies by character encoding.

  • GSM-7 encoding: Up to 160 characters per SMS.
  • UTF-16 encoding: Up to 70 characters per SMS.

MMS Support

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is not supported in Gabon. Instead, MMS messages convert to SMS with an embedded URL for multimedia content access.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

Sending SMS to landline numbers in Gabon is not supported. Attempts will result in a 400 response with error code 21614, and the message will not be logged or charged.

Compliance Considerations

To ensure compliance with local regulations, consult with qualified legal counsel. Follow these best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Secure explicit opt-in consent before sending communications, especially marketing messages.
  • Daytime Communication: Send messages during local daytime hours unless urgent.
  • HELP/STOP Support: Enable HELP and STOP messages in the local language for subscription management.
  • Respect Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users on do-not-call lists to prevent legal issues.

Conclusion

Understanding Gabon's SMS guidelines is vital for successful messaging campaigns and regulatory compliance. While Gabon lacks two-way SMS and MMS support, it allows for concatenated messages, facilitating longer communications. Ensure compliance by obtaining opt-in consent, respecting local preferences, and adhering to technical limitations.

For more information on international SMS regulations, visit the International Telecommunication Union.