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SMS Guidelines for Guatemala: Best Practices and Compliance

Sending SMS messages to Guatemala requires understanding specific guidelines and technical restrictions to ensure compliance and successful delivery. This guide provides an overview of key considerations for SMS messaging in Guatemala.

Locale Overview

Guatemala, located in Central America, is identified by the ISO code "GT" and has a mobile country code of 704. The international dialing code for Guatemala is +502. Here are important factors to consider when sending SMS messages to this locale.

Technical Specifications

  • Two-Way SMS: Not supported in Guatemala. You can send messages, but users cannot reply.
  • Number Portability: Not available, meaning users cannot retain their numbers when switching networks.
  • Concatenated Messages: Not supported. Messages exceeding the character limit will not be split and reassembled.
  • Message Length: Keep messages concise due to lack of concatenation support.
  • MMS Support: Not supported. MMS content will convert to an SMS with an embedded URL.
  • Sending SMS to Landlines: Not possible. Attempting this returns a 400 response with error code 21614.

Compliance Considerations

Compliance is crucial when sending SMS messages to Guatemala. It's recommended to consult legal counsel to ensure adherence to local laws. Follow these best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Obtain explicit opt-in consent before sending communications, especially for marketing.
  • Daytime Communication: Send messages during local daytime hours unless urgent.
  • Support for HELP/STOP Messages: SMS campaigns must support commands like "HELP" and "STOP" in the local language.
  • Respect Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries.

Conclusion

Adhering to technical guidelines and compliance requirements is essential for successful SMS message delivery in Guatemala. By following these best practices, you can optimize your SMS campaigns and ensure compliance with local regulations.

For more information on international SMS guidelines, consider visiting the International Telecommunication Union.