Frequently Asked Questions
MMS messages in Bermuda are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL. Use short, clear URLs and context within the SMS portion for optimal user experience.
No, number portability is not available in Bermuda. Numbers remain tied to their original carrier.
Bermuda's SMS compliance aligns with UK standards, including the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), emphasizing explicit opt-in consent, clear opt-out mechanisms (HELP/STOP commands), and adherence to data protection principles. While Bermuda doesn't have a Do Not Call registry, maintaining internal suppression lists and honoring opt-outs are crucial.
Several SMS APIs, including Twilio, Sinch, and Bird, offer services for sending messages to Bermuda. Ensure phone numbers are in E.164 format (+1441XXXXXXX) and comply with sender ID requirements for successful delivery.
The article doesn't state why two-way messaging isn't supported, but it highlights that it's currently unavailable. Businesses should focus on one-way communication and offer alternate channels for customer responses.
Use the E.164 format, which includes the country code (+1441) followed by the seven-digit local number. This ensures compatibility with SMS APIs and accurate message delivery.
No, sending SMS to landlines in Bermuda isn't supported. Attempts will fail with a 400 error code 21614 from the API. Messages won't be logged, and no charges will be incurred.
Bermuda follows standard SMS length limits: 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding and 70 characters for UCS-2. Longer messages are segmented (concatenated) but maintain these limits per segment.
Alphanumeric sender IDs are partially supported (Digicel only), while international long codes are fully supported for sender ID preservation. Domestic long codes and short codes are not supported.
Adhere to Bermuda's Atlantic Standard Time (AST) and restrict sending between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM AST. Avoid sending during public holidays unless urgent, and consider seasonal time changes.
Avoid using known carrier filter triggers like URLs from unknown domains, excessive punctuation, all-caps text, and multiple consecutive spaces. Use registered URL shorteners and maintain consistent sender IDs.
Restricted content includes gambling, adult material, cryptocurrency promotions, and unregistered financial services. Regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and insurance have specific compliance requirements.
Best practices include obtaining explicit consent, respecting time zones (AST), keeping messages concise (under 160 characters), and using clear calls to action. Regular testing and monitoring are also recommended.
Process opt-outs promptly (within 24 hours), maintain a central database, include clear opt-out instructions in all messages, and regularly audit opt-out compliance.
Loading...
Bermuda (UK) SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Bermuda (UK) SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Bermuda has a well-developed mobile telecommunications infrastructure with high SMS adoption rates. The market is primarily served by major operators like Digicel, which supports advanced messaging features. While OTT messaging apps are popular, SMS remains a crucial communication channel for business and personal use, particularly for notifications and authentication purposes.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Bermuda
Bermuda offers standard SMS capabilities with some limitations on advanced features like two-way messaging and number portability.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Bermuda. Businesses should design their messaging strategies around one-way communication flows and provide alternative channels for customer responses when needed.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenated messages are supported, though availability may vary by sender ID type.
Message length rules: Standard SMS length limits apply - 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding and 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding before splitting occurs.
Encoding considerations: Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings are supported, with message splitting points varying based on the chosen encoding.
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. This ensures compatibility across all devices while still allowing rich media content to be shared through linked web pages. Best practice is to use short URLs and include clear context in the SMS portion of the message.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in Bermuda. This means phone numbers remain tied to their original carrier, which can simplify message routing but may impact long-term customer communication strategies.
Sending SMS to Landlines
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported in Bermuda. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in a failed delivery and an error response (400 error code 21614) from the messaging API. Messages will not appear in logs and accounts will not be charged for these attempts.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Bermuda (UK)
Bermuda follows data protection principles aligned with UK standards, particularly regarding electronic communications. While specific SMS regulations are governed by the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (RAB), businesses should also comply with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and UK-influenced data protection guidelines.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While Bermuda doesn't maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry, businesses should:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Bermuda follows Atlantic Standard Time (AST):
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for in Bermuda (UK)
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Partially supported (Digicel only)
Registration requirements: No pre-registration required
Sender ID preservation: Not guaranteed - may be overwritten with random Sender ID outside platform
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: Yes, for supported carriers
Provisioning time: Immediate for international numbers
Use cases: Transactional messages, alerts, and notifications
Short Codes
Support: Not supported in Bermuda
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
Restricted Industries:
Regulated Industries:
Content Filtering
Known Carrier Filters:
Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Bermuda (UK)
Messaging Strategy
Sending Frequency and Timing
Localization
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
SMS API integrations for Bermuda (UK)
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust SMS API for sending messages to Bermuda. Integration requires your Account SID and Auth Token from the Twilio Console.
Sinch
Sinch offers SMS capabilities for Bermuda through their REST API. Authentication uses your API Token and Service Plan ID.
Bird
Bird's API provides SMS functionality for Bermuda with straightforward REST endpoints.
API Rate Limits and Throughput
Throughput Management Strategies:
Error Handling and Reporting
Common Error Scenarios:
Logging Best Practices:
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
Compliance Priorities
Technical Considerations
Best Practices
Next Steps
Additional Resources
Contact Information: