Hungary SMS Guidelines: Two-Way Messaging, Message Length, and Compliance Tips
Discover essential SMS guidelines for successful communication in Hungary, including two-way messaging, message length considerations, and compliance tips.
Two-Way SMS Support
In Hungary, two-way SMS is fully supported, enabling interactive communication such as customer support and feedback loops. This feature allows users to both send and receive messages seamlessly.
Number Portability
Hungary supports number portability, allowing users to keep their mobile numbers when switching service providers. This ensures consistent communication with customers even if they change carriers.
Message Concatenation
Concatenated SMS messages are supported in Hungary, allowing messages exceeding the standard character limit to be split and reassembled on the recipient’s device. Note that certain sender ID types may not support this feature, and behavior may vary based on character encoding.
MMS Support
Direct Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is not available in Hungary. Instead, MMS messages are converted to SMS with an embedded URL, enabling recipients to access multimedia content via a web link.
Sending SMS to Landline Numbers
SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Hungary. Attempts to do so will result in a 400 error with code 21614, and the message will not be logged or charged.
Compliance Considerations
Compliance is crucial for SMS messaging in Hungary. Businesses are advised to consult legal counsel to ensure SMS campaigns adhere to local laws. Key compliance practices include:
- Opt-In Consent: Obtain explicit consent from users before sending marketing or non-essential messages.
- Daytime Communication: Send messages only during daytime hours unless urgent.
- Support HELP/STOP Commands: Ensure SMS campaigns support these commands in the local language.
- Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users on do-not-call or do-not-disturb lists.
Sender ID Support
In Hungary, alphanumeric Sender IDs are supported only by Vodafone. Other carriers, like Telenor and Telekom, will replace custom Sender IDs with a local long code. Consider this when planning branded SMS campaigns.
Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Numbers
Message delivery to M2M numbers is supported on a best-effort basis, meaning delivery is attempted but not guaranteed.
Conclusion
Adhering to Hungary's SMS guidelines ensures effective communication and compliance with local regulations. Two-way SMS and number portability facilitate consistent user engagement, while compliance practices protect against legal issues. For more information on SMS regulations, visit Hungary's National Media and Infocommunications Authority.
By following these guidelines, businesses can optimize their SMS campaigns in Hungary, ensuring successful and compliant communication with their audience.