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SMS Guidelines for Madagascar: Compliance, Message Length, and Best Practices

Overview

Sending SMS messages to Madagascar requires understanding local regulations, technical limitations, and best practices to ensure compliance and successful message delivery. This guide covers essential SMS guidelines for Madagascar, including message length, two-way SMS support, and compliance considerations.

Locale Information

Madagascar, situated in the Middle East & Africa region, uses the ISO code MG and a mobile country code of 646. The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261, necessary for sending messages from abroad.

Two-way SMS Support

Two-way SMS is not supported in Madagascar. While you can send messages to users, they cannot reply through the same channel. This limitation is crucial for planning SMS campaigns that require user interaction.

Number Portability

Number portability is unavailable in Madagascar, meaning users cannot keep their phone numbers when switching mobile network providers. Ensure your contact information is current to reach recipients effectively.

Concatenated Message Support

Madagascar supports concatenated messages, allowing longer SMS texts. Messages exceeding the character limit are split into segments and reassembled upon receipt. However, note that concatenation may not be supported for certain sender ID types depending on character encoding.

Message Length

The maximum length of a single SMS message depends on the encoding:

  • GSM-7 Encoding: 160 characters
  • Unicode Encoding: 70 characters

Messages exceeding these limits will be split into concatenated messages.

MMS Support

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is not fully supported in Madagascar. Instead, MMS messages are converted to SMS with an embedded URL, allowing recipients to access multimedia content via a web link.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

SMS messages cannot be sent to landline numbers in Madagascar. Attempts will result in a 400 response with error code 21614 from the Sent REST API, and the message will not be delivered or logged. Your account will not be charged for undelivered messages.

Compliance Considerations

Adhering to local regulations is essential when sending SMS messages to Madagascar. Consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. Here are some best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Obtain opt-in consent before sending communications, especially for marketing.
  • Respect Time Zones: Send messages during local daytime hours unless urgent.
  • HELP/STOP Support: Include support for HELP and STOP messages in local languages.
  • Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users on do-not-call or do-not-disturb lists.

Conclusion

Understanding and following the SMS guidelines for Madagascar is crucial for successful messaging campaigns. From two-way SMS limitations to compliance requirements, adhering to these guidelines ensures effective message delivery and legal compliance.

By staying informed about the technical and legal aspects of SMS messaging in Madagascar, you can optimize your communication strategies and strengthen connections with your audience in this region.

For more detailed information on international SMS regulations, consider visiting official telecommunications resources.