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SMS Guidelines for Portugal: Two-Way SMS, Number Portability, and Compliance

Launching an SMS campaign in Portugal requires understanding local regulations and best practices. This guide provides essential insights into SMS guidelines, including two-way SMS support, number portability, message concatenation, and compliance tips to optimize your messaging strategy.

Two-Way SMS Support in Portugal

Portugal supports two-way SMS, enabling users to both send and receive messages. This feature is crucial for businesses focusing on customer interaction, such as feedback collection, customer support, or promotional campaigns.

Number Portability

Number portability in Portugal allows users to switch mobile providers without changing their phone numbers. This ensures your messages reach users even if they change carriers.

Concatenated Message Support

Portugal supports concatenated messages, allowing longer messages to be split into segments and reassembled at the receiver’s end. This ensures the entire message is received as intended. Note that concatenation may vary depending on character encoding (e.g., GSM-7 vs. Unicode).

MMS Support

While MMS is not directly supported in Portugal, Sent converts MMS into SMS with an embedded URL, enabling multimedia content delivery via clickable links within an SMS.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

Sending SMS to landline numbers in Portugal is not supported. Attempting this will result in a 400 error with code 21614 via the Sent REST API, and the message will not be logged or charged.

Compliance Considerations

Compliance is critical for any SMS campaign in Portugal. Consulting legal counsel is advised to ensure adherence to local laws. Here are some best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Obtain explicit opt-in consent before sending communications, especially marketing messages.
  • Daytime Communication: Send messages during local daytime hours unless urgent.
  • Support STOP/HELP Messages: Enable users to opt out or seek assistance with STOP and HELP messages in the local language.
  • Avoid Do-Not-Call Registries: Ensure campaigns do not target users on do-not-call or do-not-disturb lists.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure effective and compliant SMS campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is two-way SMS supported in Portugal?

Yes, two-way SMS is supported, allowing businesses to engage interactively with customers, enhancing communication and engagement.

Can I send SMS to landline numbers in Portugal?

No, sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported. Attempting this will result in a 400 error with code 21614, and the message will not be logged or charged.

What are some compliance best practices for SMS campaigns in Portugal?

Key practices include obtaining opt-in consent, sending messages during daytime hours, supporting STOP and HELP messages, and avoiding do-not-call registries.

Conclusion

Understanding SMS guidelines in Portugal is vital for successful and compliant messaging campaigns. Whether utilizing two-way SMS, ensuring number portability, or adhering to compliance best practices, these guidelines will help optimize your SMS strategy in Portugal.

For more information on SMS regulations, visit the ANACOM official website.