Bermuda (UK) SMS Guide - sms-compliance -

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...