Frequently Asked Questions
Use a registered alphanumeric sender ID with an "adv" prefix for promotional messages. Ensure the recipient numbers are in E.164 format (+962XXXXXXXXX) and the message content is encoded using Unicode for Arabic characters. Comply with local regulations, including obtaining explicit consent and respecting quiet hours (no promotional messages after 9 PM Amman time).
Pre-registration is required with all major Jordanian networks (Zain, Orange, and Umniah). This process typically takes about 12 days and involves submitting company documentation and message templates. Promotional messages must use alphanumeric sender IDs prefixed with "adv". Registered IDs are preserved across networks, ensuring consistent brand identity.
While Jordan's mobile market is advanced, two-way SMS is not supported through major SMS providers via standard APIs. This means businesses cannot receive replies to their messages directly through these channels, although other communication methods may be available.
Promotional messages are prohibited after 9:00 PM Amman time (GMT+3). Transactional messages related to urgent matters are permitted 24/7. Best practice suggests sending messages between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM local time to avoid disturbing recipients.
No, short codes are not currently supported in Jordan for SMS marketing. Use a registered alphanumeric sender ID instead. Long codes are supported but are typically converted to alphanumeric sender IDs upon delivery.
Messages are limited to 160 characters per segment when using GSM-7 encoding. If you use UCS-2 encoding (necessary for Arabic and special characters), the limit is 70 characters per segment. Concatenated messages are supported for longer content.
Jordan requires explicit consent before sending marketing messages, mandates clear opt-out instructions in both Arabic and English, and prohibits promotional messages after 9 PM. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) oversees these regulations, and businesses must comply to avoid penalties.
All marketing messages must include clear opt-out instructions. Common keywords like STOP, CANCEL, and UNSUBSCRIBE must be honored in both English and Arabic. Opt-out requests must be processed within 24 hours, and records maintained for at least 12 months.
Due to carrier rate limits, implement a queuing system with retry logic, use batch APIs, monitor throughput, and adjust sending rates to manage high-volume SMS campaigns effectively. Distributing traffic across multiple sender IDs can also help.
Restricted content includes gambling, political material, religious messaging, adult content, cryptocurrency promotions, and unregistered financial services. Content and URL filtering is enforced by carriers.
Initialize the Twilio client with your Account SID and Auth Token. Use a registered alphanumeric sender ID in the 'from' parameter, the recipient's number in E.164 format in the 'to' parameter, and the message content in the 'body' parameter. Ensure 'type' is set to 'unicode' for Arabic.
Potential reasons include using an unregistered sender ID, sending restricted content, violating quiet hours, or exceeding rate limits. Check your message content, sender ID registration status, and sending frequency against TRC guidelines.
Instantiate the MessageBird client with your API key. Use your registered alphanumeric sender ID as the 'originator', provide the recipient number(s), and include your message content. Set the 'type' parameter to 'unicode' for Arabic language support.
Obtain explicit consent, respect quiet hours (9 PM - 9 AM), keep messages concise (under 160 characters), localize content in Arabic and English, provide clear opt-out instructions, and regularly monitor delivery rates and opt-out patterns.
Jordan SMS Guide: Compliance, Regulations & API Integration Best Practices
Sending SMS messages to Jordan requires understanding specific regulatory requirements and carrier guidelines. This comprehensive guide covers everything businesses need to know about Jordan SMS regulations, including TRC compliance, alphanumeric sender ID registration with Zain, Orange, and Umniah networks, time restrictions for promotional messages, and API integration best practices.
Jordan SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Jordan has a vibrant mobile communications market dominated by three major operators: Zain, Orange, and Umniah. As of early 2024, Jordan has approximately 9.14 million active cellular mobile connections, representing 80.4% of the total population – an increase of 407,000 connections (+4.7%) from early 2023. SMS remains a crucial communication channel for businesses, particularly for authentication, notifications, and marketing. While OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp are popular for personal communication, SMS maintains its position as the most reliable channel for business communications due to its universal reach and high open rates.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Jordan
Jordan supports most standard SMS features, including concatenated messages and alphanumeric sender IDs, though two-way SMS functionality is limited and MMS messages are converted to SMS with URL links.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Jordan through major SMS providers. Businesses cannot receive replies to their messages through standard SMS APIs.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenation is supported for most sender ID types.
Message length rules: Messages exceeding 160 characters split into multiple segments when using GSM-7 encoding.
Encoding considerations: GSM-7 encoding allows 160 characters per segment, while UCS-2 encoding (used for Arabic and special characters) allows 70 characters per segment.
MMS Support
MMS messages are not directly supported in Jordan. MMS content is automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link where recipients can view the multimedia content.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is available in Jordan, allowing users to keep their phone numbers when switching between mobile operators. Messages are properly routed to the current carrier regardless of the original operator.
Sending SMS to Landlines
SMS to landline numbers is not supported in Jordan. Attempts to send messages to landlines result in failed delivery and typically trigger a 400 response error (error code 21614) from SMS APIs. These messages will not appear in logs, and accounts will not be charged for the attempt.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Jordan
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Jordan oversees SMS communications and has established specific guidelines for business messaging. Comply with both TRC regulations and individual mobile operator requirements to ensure successful message delivery and regulatory compliance.
Consent and Opt-In
Obtain explicit consent before sending any marketing or promotional messages to users in Jordan. Best practices for obtaining and documenting consent include:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While Jordan does not maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry, you must:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Jordan follows strict time-based restrictions for promotional messages:
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for Jordan
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: No, international long codes are typically overwritten
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: Not recommended for Jordan – use registered alphanumeric IDs instead
Short Codes
Support: Not currently supported in Jordan
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
How to Register Alphanumeric Sender IDs in Jordan
Alphanumeric sender IDs must be pre-registered with Jordan mobile networks before you can send SMS messages. The registration process and requirements differ for local and international companies.
Registration Timeline and Requirements
Operator network capability: Fully supported across all three major carriers (Zain, Orange, Umniah)
Local companies (headquarters in Jordan):
International companies:
Key Registration Rules
Content Acknowledgment
According to regulations enforced by AWS and other major carriers, businesses must acknowledge that registered sender IDs will be used exclusively for transactional messages. Promotional content requires sender IDs with the "adv" prefix and must comply with time restrictions (7 AM – 9 PM).
Frequently Asked Questions About Jordan SMS
How long does sender ID registration take in Jordan?
Registration timelines vary by company location and carrier. Local companies (with headquarters in Jordan) require 7 business days for registration across all networks. International companies need 3 business days for Zain network registration, while Umniah-Orange networks allow dynamic alphanumeric sender IDs without pre-registration.
What time can I send promotional SMS messages in Jordan?
Promotional SMS messages in Jordan can only be sent between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM Amman time (GMT+3). Violating this restriction may result in message blocking and potential account denylisting. Transactional messages can be sent 24/7 without time restrictions.
Do I need to add "adv" prefix to my sender ID in Jordan?
Yes, all promotional messages sent in Jordan must use a sender ID with the "adv" prefix (e.g., "advBrandName"). This is required by the Telecom Regulation Commission of Jordan. Transactional messages using registered sender IDs do not require this prefix.
Is SMS to landline supported in Jordan?
No, SMS to landline numbers is not supported in Jordan. Attempts to send messages to landlines will fail with a 400 error (error code 21614), will not appear in logs, and will not incur charges.
What mobile operators serve Jordan?
Jordan has three major mobile operators: Zain, Orange, and Umniah. All three support SMS messaging, though registration requirements and capabilities vary slightly between carriers. Number portability is available, ensuring messages reach recipients regardless of their current carrier.
Is there a fee for Jordan sender ID registration?
No, there is no fee charged for sender ID registration in Jordan. However, standard per-message SMS charges apply when sending messages.
Can I use two-way SMS in Jordan?
No, two-way SMS is not supported in Jordan through major SMS providers. Businesses cannot receive replies to their messages through standard SMS APIs.
Recap and Additional Resources