Algeria SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features

Algeria SMS Market Overview

Market Conditions: Algeria has a robust mobile telecommunications market dominated by three major operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo. SMS remains a critical communication channel for business messaging, with high mobile penetration rates. While OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp are popular for personal communication, SMS is preferred for business-critical messages due to its reliability and universal reach. Android devices dominate the market, accounting for approximately 85% of mobile devices.

Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Algeria

Algeria supports most standard SMS features including concatenated messaging and alphanumeric sender IDs, though two-way SMS functionality is limited and MMS requires conversion to SMS with URL links.

Two-way SMS Support

Two-way SMS is not supported in Algeria through standard A2P channels. Businesses requiring interactive messaging capabilities should consider alternative communication methods or implement one-way messaging strategies with clear call-to-action instructions.

Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)

Support: Yes, concatenation is supported across all major carriers, though support may vary by sender ID type.
Message length rules: Standard GSM-7 encoding allows 160 characters per segment, while Unicode (UCS-2) messages are limited to 70 characters per segment.
Encoding considerations: GSM-7 is recommended for Latin-based text, while UCS-2 is required for Arabic characters and special symbols. Messages using UCS-2 encoding will be automatically split into smaller segments.

MMS Support

MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. This conversion ensures broader compatibility and reliable delivery across all carriers. When sending media content, ensure the linked content remains accessible for a reasonable duration and is mobile-optimized.

Recipient Phone Number Compatibility

Number Portability

Number portability is not available in Algeria. This means phone numbers remain tied to their original carrier, simplifying message routing and delivery processes.

Sending SMS to Landlines

SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Algeria. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in immediate failure with a 400 response code (error code 21614). These messages will not appear in logs and accounts will not be charged.

Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Algeria

Algeria maintains strict regulations for SMS communications, overseen by the Regulatory Authority for Post and Electronic Communications (ARPCE). Organizations must comply with both telecommunications regulations and data protection laws when conducting SMS campaigns.

Consent and Opt-In

Explicit Consent Requirements:

• Written or electronic consent must be obtained before sending any marketing messages
• Consent records must be maintained with comprehensive audit trails
• Purpose of communication must be clearly stated during opt-in
• Double opt-in is recommended for marketing campaigns

Best Practices for Documentation:

• Store consent timestamps and IP addresses
• Maintain records of opt-in sources and methods
• Document the specific services or communications users agreed to receive
• Keep consent records for a minimum of 2 years

HELP/STOP and Other Commands

• All SMS campaigns must support STOP, HELP, and OPT-OUT keywords
• Commands must be recognized in both Arabic and French
• Standard keywords include:
  • STOP/ARR??T/???????? (stop messages)
  • AIDE/HELP/???????????? (get help)
  • INFO/?????????????? (get information)
• Response to these commands must be immediate and free of charge

Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries

While Algeria does not maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry, organizations must:

• Maintain their own suppression lists
• Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
• Implement proper screening mechanisms to filter opted-out numbers
• Regular audit and update suppression lists

Time Zone Sensitivity

Time Restrictions:

• Standard sending hours: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Algeria time (UTC+1)
• Avoid sending during prayer times
• Emergency messages exempt from time restrictions
• Respect Ramadan timing adjustments

Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for Algeria

Alphanumeric Sender ID

Operator network capability: Fully supported across all major networks
Registration requirements: Pre-registration required with documentation

• Business registration documents needed
• Brand name verification required
• 2-week average approval time Sender ID preservation: Yes, displayed as registered across all carriers

Long Codes

Domestic vs. International:

• Domestic long codes not available
• International long codes supported but with limitations Sender ID preservation: No, may be changed for compliance Provisioning time: Immediate for international numbers Use cases: Recommended for transactional messaging and 2FA

Short Codes

Support: Not currently supported in Algeria Provisioning time: N/A Use cases: N/A

Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases

Prohibited Content:

• Gambling and betting services
• Adult content or dating services
• Political messaging without authorization
• Religious content without proper permits
• Cryptocurrency and unauthorized financial services

Content Filtering

Carrier Filtering Rules:

• Messages containing restricted keywords are automatically blocked
• URLs must be from approved domains
• Message content screened for compliance with local regulations

Tips to Avoid Blocking:

• Avoid URL shorteners
• Use registered sender IDs
• Keep content clear and professional
• Avoid excessive punctuation or special characters

Best Practices for Sending SMS in Algeria

Messaging Strategy

• Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
• Include clear call-to-action
• Personalize messages using recipient's name
• Maintain consistent sender ID across campaigns

Sending Frequency and Timing

• Limit to 4-5 messages per month per recipient
• Respect religious and national holidays
• Avoid sending during Friday prayers
• Schedule campaigns during business hours

Localization

• Support both Arabic and French languages
• Right-to-left text formatting for Arabic
• Use local date and time formats
• Consider cultural sensitivities in content

Opt-Out Management

• Include opt-out instructions in every message
• Process opt-outs within 24 hours
• Maintain centralized opt-out database
• Regular audit of opt-out compliance

Testing and Monitoring

• Test across all three major carriers
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier
• Track opt-out rates and patterns
• Regular review of message performance metrics

SMS API integrations for Algeria

Twilio

Twilio provides robust SMS capabilities for Algeria through their REST API. Authentication uses your Account SID and Auth Token, with support for alphanumeric sender IDs.

import * as Twilio from 'twilio';

// Initialize client with environment variables
const client = new Twilio(
  process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID,
  process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

async function sendSMSToAlgeria() {
  try {
    // Send message with proper Algeria phone formatting
    const message = await client.messages.create({
      body: 'Your message in French or Arabic', // Message content
      from: 'YourBrand', // Registered alphanumeric sender ID
      to: '+213XXXXXXXXX', // Algeria number in E.164 format
      // Optional parameters for delivery tracking
      statusCallback: 'https://your-callback-url.com/status'
    });
    
    console.log(`Message sent successfully: ${message.sid}`);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending message:', error);
  }
}

Sinch

Sinch offers direct carrier connections in Algeria with support for high-volume messaging.

import { SinchClient } from '@sinch/sdk-core';

// Initialize Sinch client
const sinchClient = new SinchClient({
  projectId: process.env.SINCH_PROJECT_ID,
  apiToken: process.env.SINCH_API_TOKEN
});

async function sendBatchMessages() {
  try {
    const response = await sinchClient.sms.batches.send({
      sendSMSRequestBody: {
        from: 'CompanyName', // Registered sender ID
        to: ['+213XXXXXXXXX'],
        body: 'Message content',
        // Algeria-specific parameters
        delivery_report: 'summary',
        expire_at: '2024-01-01T00:00:00Z'
      }
    });
    
    console.log('Batch ID:', response.id);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Batch sending failed:', error);
  }
}

MessageBird

MessageBird provides reliable SMS delivery in Algeria with comprehensive delivery reporting.

import { MessageBird } from 'messagebird';

const messagebird = new MessageBird(process.env.MESSAGEBIRD_API_KEY);

// Function to send messages with Algeria-specific configurations
async function sendMessageToAlgeria() {
  const params = {
    originator: 'YourBrand', // Registered sender ID
    recipients: ['+213XXXXXXXXX'],
    body: 'Your message content',
    // Algeria-specific options
    reportUrl: 'https://your-webhook-url.com',
    validity: 24 // Hours message remains valid
  };

  messagebird.messages.create(params, (err, response) => {
    if (err) {
      console.error('Error:', err);
      return;
    }
    console.log('Message sent:', response.id);
  });
}

Plivo

Plivo offers direct routes to Algerian carriers with support for Unicode messages.

import * as plivo from 'plivo';

const client = new plivo.Client(
  process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_ID,
  process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

async function sendPlivoMessage() {
  try {
    const response = await client.messages.create({
      src: 'YourBrand', // Registered sender ID
      dst: '+213XXXXXXXXX',
      text: 'Your message',
      // Optional parameters
      url: 'https://your-callback-url.com',
      method: 'POST'
    });
    
    console.log('Message UUID:', response.messageUuid);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Failed to send message:', error);
  }
}

API Rate Limits and Throughput

Rate Limits:

• Standard rate: 10 messages per second
• Burst rate: Up to 25 messages per second with approval
• Daily quota: Based on account standing and carrier agreements

Throughput Management:

• Implement exponential backoff for retry logic
• Use batch APIs for high-volume sending
• Queue messages during peak times
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier

Error Handling and Reporting

Best Practices:

• Log all API responses and message IDs
• Implement webhook handlers for delivery receipts
• Monitor carrier-specific error codes
• Set up alerts for unusual error rates

Common Error Scenarios:

// Example error handling implementation
async function handleSMSError(error: any) {
  switch (error.code) {
    case '21614': // Invalid number format
      console.error('Invalid phone number format for Algeria');
      break;
    case '30003': // Carrier rejection
      console.error('Message rejected by carrier');
      break;
    case '30007': // Invalid sender ID
      console.error('Sender ID not registered');
      break;
    default:
      console.error('Unknown error:', error);
  }
}

Recap and Additional Resources

Key Takeaways:

• Always use registered sender IDs
• Implement proper opt-out handling
• Respect time zone restrictions
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier

Next Steps:

1. Register sender IDs with ARPCE
2. Implement proper consent management
3. Set up delivery monitoring
4. Test with small volumes initially

Additional Information:

• ARPCE Official Website
• Algeria Telecom Regulations
• SMS Compliance Guidelines

Industry Resources:

• Mobile Operator Guidelines
  • Mobilis
  • Djezzy
  • Ooredoo