Comprehensive SMS Guidelines for the United States Virgin Islands

When planning SMS campaigns targeting users in the United States Virgin Islands, it's crucial to adhere to specific guidelines and compliance requirements. This guide provides essential information to help ensure your SMS campaigns are both effective and compliant.

Locale Overview

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is part of North America and uses the US mobile country codes (MCCs) 310 and 311, along with its own MCC 332. The dialing code is +1340. Understanding these codes is vital for ensuring proper message delivery.

Two-Way SMS Support

Two-way SMS is not supported in the US Virgin Islands. This limitation means users cannot reply to your SMS messages, restricting interactive SMS campaigns.

Number Portability

Number portability is unavailable in the US Virgin Islands, meaning users cannot keep their mobile numbers when changing service providers.

Concatenated Message Support

The US Virgin Islands does not support concatenated messages. Ensure your SMS messages remain within the standard character limit to avoid truncation or delivery issues.

MMS Support

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is converted to SMS with an embedded URL in the US Virgin Islands. Media content such as images or videos will be sent as a URL link.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in the US Virgin Islands. Attempting to do so will result in a 400 error response, and the message will not be logged or charged.

Compliance Considerations

Compliance is essential when sending SMS messages. Here are some best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Obtain explicit opt-in consent from users before sending any messages, especially marketing or non-essential ones.
  • Daytime Communication: Send messages during the recipient’s local daytime hours unless urgent.
  • HELP/STOP Commands: Support common commands like HELP and STOP in the recipient's local language.
  • Respect Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users on do-not-call or do-not-disturb lists.

For further information, consult with official regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with local laws.


FAQs

Is two-way SMS supported in the United States Virgin Islands?

No, two-way SMS is not supported, meaning users cannot reply to your messages.

Can I send SMS to landline numbers in the United States Virgin Islands?

No, sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported. Attempting this will result in a 400 error response.

What are the compliance considerations for sending SMS in the United States Virgin Islands?

Ensure opt-in consent, communicate during appropriate hours, and implement common commands like HELP/STOP. Avoid contacting users on do-not-call lists.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your SMS campaigns are successful and compliant in the United States Virgin Islands.