Saudi Arabia SMS Guidelines: Compliance, Message Length, and Best Practices

When sending SMS messages to recipients in Saudi Arabia, understanding local regulations and compliance requirements is crucial for successful campaigns. This guide covers key aspects of SMS guidelines in Saudi Arabia, ensuring your messages are effective and compliant.

Key SMS Features in Saudi Arabia

Two-Way SMS Support

Two-way SMS, which allows recipients to reply to messages, is not supported in Saudi Arabia. Businesses seeking interactive SMS conversations must explore alternative communication methods.

Number Portability

Saudi Arabia offers number portability, enabling users to retain their mobile numbers when switching service providers, impacting message routing and delivery.

Concatenated Message Support

Saudi Arabia supports concatenated messages for longer SMS exceeding 160 characters, split into segments and reassembled on the recipient's device. Note that this feature may vary based on sender ID types and character encoding.

Message Length

The standard SMS message length in Saudi Arabia is 160 characters. Messages exceeding this limit are split into parts and sent as concatenated messages, depending on sender ID support.

MMS Support

Traditional MMS is not supported in Saudi Arabia. Instead, MMS messages are converted to SMS with a URL linking to multimedia content.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

SMS messages cannot be sent to landline numbers in Saudi Arabia. Attempting this will result in a 400 error code 21614, and the message won't be processed.

Compliance Considerations

Saudi Arabia enforces strict regulations on SMS content and delivery. To avoid filtering and ensure compliance, follow these guidelines:

Pre-register Alphanumeric Sender IDs: Saudi networks block numeric sender IDs. Pre-register your alphanumeric IDs to avoid delivery issues.
Avoid Objectionable Content: Prohibited content includes URLs, gambling, adult content, political, religious, or controlled substances. Messages with chat links or phone numbers are also restricted.
Message Timing: Send promotional messages only between 09:00 AM and 08:00 PM local time. Messages outside these hours may be filtered.
Respect the DND List: Messages to numbers on the Do Not Disturb (DND) list will be filtered. Keep your contact list updated.
No Domestic Sender ID Registration: Due to local regulations, Sent cannot register sender IDs for domestic brands in Saudi Arabia.

Best Practices for SMS Campaigns in Saudi Arabia

To optimize your SMS campaigns in Saudi Arabia, adhere to these best practices:

Obtain Opt-In Consent: Secure explicit opt-in consent before sending SMS, especially for marketing messages.
Respect Local Time Zones: Send messages during the recipient's daytime hours unless urgent.
Support HELP/STOP Commands: Ensure your SMS campaigns support commands like HELP and STOP in the local language for better user experience and compliance.
Avoid DND Numbers: Regularly update contact lists to avoid sending messages to do-not-call or do-not-disturb numbers.

By following these best practices and adhering to Saudi Arabia's SMS guidelines, your messages will reach their intended recipients without being filtered or blocked.

FAQs

Is two-way SMS supported in Saudi Arabia?

No, two-way SMS is not supported in Saudi Arabia.

Are concatenated messages supported in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, concatenated messages are supported, but certain sender ID types may not support this feature.

What are the restrictions on sending promotional SMS in Saudi Arabia?

Promotional messages should only be sent between 09:00 AM and 08:00 PM local time, and messages to numbers on the DND list will be filtered.

By understanding and following these guidelines, you can ensure that your SMS campaigns in Saudi Arabia are both compliant and effective.

For more information on SMS regulations in Saudi Arabia, visit the Communications and Information Technology Commission.