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SMS Guidelines for the Maldives: Compliance, Message Length, and Support

Introduction

The Maldives, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, has specific SMS communication guidelines that businesses must adhere to. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of SMS messaging in the Maldives, covering compliance, message length, two-way messaging, number portability, and MMS support.

Locale Information

The Maldives is identified by the ISO code MV and is part of the Asia region. The Mobile Country Code (MCC) is 472, and the international dialing code for SMS is +960.

Two-Way SMS Support

Currently, two-way SMS is not supported in the Maldives, preventing businesses from receiving replies to their messages. This limitation requires alternative communication strategies for customer interaction.

Number Portability

The Maldives supports number portability, enabling users to keep their mobile numbers when switching providers. This feature is crucial for maintaining customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Concatenated Message Support

Sent supports concatenated messages in the Maldives. If an SMS exceeds the character limit, it is split into segments and reassembled on the recipient’s device. Note that this feature may not be available for certain sender ID types, and message reassembly can vary based on character encoding.

Message Length

The SMS character limit in the Maldives depends on encoding:

  • GSM Encoding: Up to 160 characters per SMS.
  • Unicode/Special Characters: Fewer characters per SMS due to encoding constraints.

MMS Support

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is not directly supported. Instead, MMS messages are converted to SMS with a URL link, allowing recipients to access multimedia content online.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

SMS messages cannot be sent to landline numbers in the Maldives. Attempts to do so will result in a 400 response with error code 21614 from the Sent REST API, and the message will not be logged or charged.

Compliance Considerations

To ensure compliance with local regulations when sending SMS in the Maldives, follow these best practices:

  1. Opt-In Consent: Secure opt-in consent from users before sending any messages, especially for marketing purposes.
  2. Daytime Communication: Send messages during local daytime hours unless urgent.
  3. Support for HELP/STOP Messages: Ensure your SMS campaigns accommodate HELP and STOP commands in the local language.
  4. Respect Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users listed on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries.

By adhering to these guidelines, your SMS campaigns will be both compliant and effective in reaching your audience.

Conclusion

Understanding and following the SMS guidelines in the Maldives is essential for successful customer engagement. While two-way SMS is not available, features like number portability and concatenated message support enhance the messaging experience. Always prioritize compliance by obtaining opt-in consent and respecting user preferences to foster positive customer relationships.

For more information on international SMS regulations, visit the Maldives Communications Authority website.