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SMS Guidelines and Best Practices in Israel

Sending SMS messages in Israel requires a clear understanding of local regulations, network capabilities, and best practices to ensure compliance and optimal message delivery. Below is a detailed breakdown of the SMS guidelines for Israel.

Two-Way SMS Support

In Israel, two-way SMS is fully supported. This means businesses can send and receive SMS messages from users, making it easier to engage in conversations or interactions with customers. Whether you're running a marketing campaign, customer support, or transactional messaging, two-way SMS can enhance your communication strategy.

Number Portability

Number portability is available in Israel. This allows users to retain their mobile number when switching service providers, ensuring seamless communication for businesses and customers alike. If you're managing a large contact list, number portability ensures that your messages will continue to reach your customers, even if they change carriers.

Concatenated Message Support

Concatenated messages are supported in Israel. This feature is crucial for sending longer messages. If your SMS exceeds the standard character limit (which varies depending on the encoding used), it will be split into multiple parts and reassembled on the recipient's device. Keep in mind that certain sender ID types may not support concatenation, and the behavior may vary depending on the character set used.

MMS Support

In Israel, MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is not directly supported. Instead, MMS messages are converted into SMS with an embedded URL. This means that images, videos, or other multimedia content will be sent as a link that the recipient can click to view.

Sending SMS to Landlines

You cannot send SMS to landline numbers in Israel. If an attempt is made, the Sent REST API will return a 400 error response with error code 21614. The message will not be processed, and your account will not be charged. It's essential to ensure that the numbers in your contact list are mobile numbers to avoid delivery issues.

Compliance Considerations

Compliance with local laws is critical when sending SMS messages in Israel. Sent strongly encourages businesses to consult with legal counsel to ensure that all messaging activities adhere to applicable regulations. Here are some general best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Always obtain explicit opt-in consent from users before sending any communications, especially for marketing purposes.
  • Daytime Communication: Only send SMS messages during the recipient's local daytime hours unless the message is urgent.
  • HELP/STOP Support: Ensure that your SMS campaigns support HELP and STOP messages in the local language, allowing users to easily manage their communication preferences.
  • Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users listed in do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your SMS campaigns in Israel are both effective and compliant with local regulations.

For more information on telecommunications regulations in Israel, you can visit the Ministry of Communications website.