Frequently Asked Questions
Use a reputable SMS API provider like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo. Ensure the recipient's number is in E.164 format (+374...) and use a pre-registered alphanumeric sender ID for optimal delivery.
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters with GSM-7 encoding or 70 characters with UCS-2 encoding for Unicode. Concatenated messaging is supported for longer messages, splitting them into multiple parts.
Two-way SMS is not available in Armenia through standard A2P channels. Businesses cannot receive replies to their SMS messages.
The recommended sending window is 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time (GMT+4). Avoid sending messages during major holidays or after-hours unless urgent.
MMS is not directly supported. MMS messages are converted to SMS with a URL where the recipient can view the multimedia content.
Alphanumeric sender IDs require pre-registration with Armenian carriers, typically taking three weeks for approval. Sender IDs are limited to 11 characters and cannot include special characters.
While not legally mandated, best practice is to support HELP/STOP keywords in Armenian and English. Process opt-out requests within 24 hours and send confirmation messages.
Restricted content includes gambling, political campaigns, adult material, religious content, and illegal substances. Avoid URL shorteners and suspicious domains to prevent filtering.
Use the E.164 format, which includes the country code +374 followed by the subscriber number. This ensures messages are correctly routed regardless of the carrier.
Several providers like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo offer robust APIs for sending SMS to Armenia. Their documentation provides code examples and best practices.
Keep messages concise, personalize content, maintain consistent sender ID, localize for Armenian and Russian languages, respect opt-outs, and monitor delivery rates across different carriers.
Number portability is available and doesn't significantly impact SMS delivery, as messages are automatically routed to the correct carrier based on the recipient's number.
No, SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Armenia. Attempts to do so will result in delivery failure.
The PSRC regulates Armenia's telecommunications sector. While specific SMS marketing laws are not strict, following international best practices is recommended.
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Armenia SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Armenia SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Armenia has a well-developed mobile telecommunications market with three major operators: Viva-MTS (formerly VivaCell-MTS), Team (formerly Beeline), and Ucom. SMS remains an important communication channel, particularly for business messaging and authentication purposes, though messaging apps like Viber and Telegram are increasingly popular among consumers. The market shows a strong preference for Android devices, which dominate the mobile operating system landscape in Armenia.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Armenia
Armenia supports standard SMS messaging features with some limitations, offering concatenated messaging and alphanumeric sender IDs, though two-way SMS functionality is not available.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Armenia through major SMS providers. This means businesses cannot receive replies to their SMS messages through standard A2P channels.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenated messaging is fully supported in Armenia.
Message length rules: Messages are limited to 160 characters before splitting occurs when using GSM-7 encoding, or 70 characters when using UCS-2 encoding for messages containing Unicode characters.
Encoding considerations: Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings are supported, with GSM-7 being preferred for standard Latin characters to maximize message length.
MMS Support
MMS messages are not directly supported in Armenia. When attempting to send MMS, the message will be automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link where recipients can view the multimedia content. This ensures message delivery while maintaining compatibility with all mobile devices.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is available in Armenia, allowing users to keep their phone numbers when switching between mobile operators. This feature does not significantly impact SMS delivery or routing as messages are automatically routed to the correct carrier.
Sending SMS to Landlines
SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Armenia. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in delivery failure, typically generating a 400 response with error code 21614. These messages will not appear in logs and accounts will not be charged for failed delivery attempts.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Armenia
Armenia's telecommunications sector is regulated by the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC). While specific SMS marketing laws are less stringent compared to other European countries, businesses should follow international best practices for responsible messaging.
Consent and Opt-In
While Armenia doesn't have explicit opt-in requirements, it's strongly recommended to:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
While not legally mandated, implementing HELP/STOP functionality is considered best practice:
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
Armenia does not maintain an official Do Not Disturb registry. However, businesses should:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Armenia observes GMT+4 time zone. While there are no legal restrictions on messaging hours:
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for Armenia
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Supported with pre-registration
Registration requirements: Pre-registration required, typically taking 3 weeks for approval
Sender ID preservation: Yes, preserved when properly registered
Best practices:
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International: International long codes supported; domestic long codes not available
Sender ID preservation: No, sender IDs may be overwritten by carriers
Provisioning time: Immediate for international long codes
Use cases:
Short Codes
Support: Not currently available in Armenia
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
The following content types and industries face restrictions:
Content Filtering
Known carrier filtering rules:
Best practices to avoid filtering:
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Armenia
Messaging Strategy
Sending Frequency and Timing
Localization
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
SMS API integrations for Armenia
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust REST API for sending SMS messages to Armenia. Authentication is handled via account SID and auth token.
Sinch
Sinch offers a straightforward REST API with bearer token authentication for SMS delivery to Armenia.
MessageBird
MessageBird provides a feature-rich API for sending SMS to Armenia with comprehensive delivery reporting.
Plivo
Plivo offers a reliable SMS API with support for Armenian carriers and detailed delivery tracking.
API Rate Limits and Throughput
Error Handling and Reporting
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
Compliance Priorities
Technical Considerations
Best Practices
Next Steps
Additional Information
Official Resources
Industry Guidelines
Technical Documentation