Is two-way SMS supported in Turkey?

No, two-way SMS is not supported in Turkey.

Can I send SMS to landline numbers in Turkey?

No, SMS messages cannot be sent to landline numbers in Turkey. The Sent REST API will return a 400 error code.

Are there any restrictions on promotional traffic in Turkey?

Yes, as of February 15, 2021, submission of promotional traffic to Turkey is prohibited.

Can businesses receive SMS replies in Turkey?

No, two-way SMS is not supported in Turkey, so businesses cannot receive replies via SMS.

What happens if an SMS exceeds 160 characters in Turkey?

If an SMS exceeds 160 characters, it will be segmented and reassembled on the recipient's device, a process known as message concatenation.

Is MMS supported in Turkey?

No, Turkey does not support Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). An MMS will be converted into an SMS with an embedded URL.

What happens if I send an SMS to a landline number in Turkey?

Sending an SMS to a landline number will result in a 400 error response with error code 21614, and the message will not appear in logs.

What content is prohibited in SMS messages sent to Turkey?

Content related to gambling, politics, and religion is prohibited in SMS messages sent to Turkey.

Are promotional SMS messages allowed in Turkey?

No, promotional SMS messages are banned in Turkey since February 15, 2021.

What are the consequences of sending prohibited content in SMS messages to Turkey?

Sending prohibited content can lead to message blocking, blacklisting of the Sender ID, and financial penalties.

Do I need to register my Sender ID for sending SMS to Turkey?

Yes, you need to pre-register your Alphanumeric Sender ID with Turkish carriers to ensure delivery.

What happens if I send promotional traffic via SMS to Turkey?

Sending promotional traffic can result in message blocking, blacklisting of the Sender ID, and penalties.

Can SMS messages be sent to Machine-to-Machine (M2M) numbers in Turkey?

Delivery to M2M numbers is on a best-effort basis, with no guarantee of success.

What should businesses focus on instead of promotional SMS in Turkey?

Businesses should focus on transactional or informational SMS content instead of promotional messages.

Why is it important to validate phone numbers before sending SMS in Turkey?

Validating phone numbers ensures that messages are sent to mobile numbers and not landlines, avoiding errors.

What is the mobile country code (MCC) for Turkey?

The mobile country code (MCC) for Turkey is 286.

What is message concatenation?

Message concatenation is the process of segmenting and reassembling SMS messages that exceed 160 characters on the recipient's device.

Are there any specific technical requirements for sending SMS to Turkey?

Yes, businesses must adhere to message length limits and ensure their Sender ID is pre-registered to comply with technical requirements.

What are the risks of not registering a Sender ID in Turkey?

Unregistered Sender IDs may be filtered by Turkish carriers, leading to failed message delivery.

What is a best practice for ensuring SMS delivery success in Turkey?

Pre-registering your Sender ID and avoiding prohibited content are best practices for ensuring SMS delivery success in Turkey.

Where can I find more information on SMS regulations in Turkey?

You can visit the Turkish Telecommunications Authority website at https://www.btk.gov.tr/en-US for more information on SMS regulations.

SMS Guidelines for Turkey: Compliance, Message Length, and Delivery Considerations

Q: What is the character limit for SMS messages in Turkey?

SMS messages in Turkey are limited to 160 characters.

When sending SMS messages to Turkey, businesses must adhere to specific guidelines and compliance requirements to ensure successful delivery. This guide covers essential aspects such as message length, content restrictions, and compliance requirements.

Locale Overview: Turkey

Turkey, part of the Middle East & Africa region, uses the ISO code "TR" and mobile country code (MCC) 286. The dialing code for sending SMS to Turkey is +90. Businesses should be aware of the following technical and compliance requirements when communicating with Turkish mobile networks.

Two-Way SMS Support

Two-way SMS is not supported in Turkey, meaning businesses cannot receive replies via SMS. Alternative communication channels should be used for feedback or customer interaction.

Message Length and Concatenation

SMS messages in Turkey are limited to 160 characters. Exceeding this limit results in message segmentation and reassembly on the recipient's device, known as message concatenation. Note that concatenation may not be supported for certain sender ID types, and variations in message splitting can occur based on character encoding.

MMS Support

Turkey does not support Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). Attempting to send an MMS will convert it into an SMS with an embedded URL, potentially affecting user experience.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

Avoid sending SMS to landline numbers in Turkey. The Sent REST API returns a 400 error response with error code 21614 if an SMS is sent to a landline. The message will not appear in logs, and your account will not be charged.

Compliance Considerations

Compliance is crucial when sending SMS messages to Turkey. Key points include:

Sender ID Registration: Turkish carriers filter traffic from unregistered Alphanumeric Sender IDs. Pre-register your Alphanumeric Sender ID to ensure delivery.
Prohibited Content: Content related to gambling, politics, and religion is prohibited. Non-compliance can lead to message blocking or financial penalties.
Promotional Traffic Ban: Since February 15, 2021, promotional traffic is banned. Violations may result in message blocking, blacklisting of Sender ID, and penalties.
M2M Numbers: Delivery to Machine-to-Machine (M2M) numbers is on a best-effort basis, with no guarantee of success.

Best Practices for SMS Delivery in Turkey

To ensure successful SMS delivery in Turkey, follow these best practices:

Pre-register your Sender ID: Register your Alphanumeric Sender ID with Turkish carriers to avoid filtering.
Avoid prohibited content: Refrain from sending messages related to gambling, politics, or religion.
Do not send promotional traffic: Focus on transactional or informational SMS content.
Validate phone numbers: Ensure numbers are mobile, not landline, to avoid errors.

Conclusion

Sending SMS messages to Turkey requires attention to both technical and compliance factors. Adhering to guidelines such as maintaining message length, registering your Sender ID, and avoiding prohibited content ensures compliance with Turkish regulations. For further guidance, consult with qualified legal counsel.

For more information on SMS regulations, visit the Turkish Telecommunications Authority website.