Frequently Asked Questions
Use a reputable SMS API provider like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo. Ensure your recipient numbers start with +95, use a pre-registered alphanumeric sender ID, and encode messages in Unicode (UCS-2) for Myanmar language support. Adhere to compliance guidelines for content and sending times.
Provide clear opt-out instructions with keywords like STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, and their Myanmar equivalents in every message. Process opt-out requests within 24 hours and maintain a centralized opt-out database to ensure compliance.
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with embedded URLs for broader compatibility and reliable delivery across all Myanmar networks due to varying device capabilities and network infrastructure.
The recommended sending window is between 09:00 and 20:00 Myanmar Time (MMT). Avoid sending messages between 22:00 and 06:00 MMT and consider religious and cultural holidays to respect local customs.
No, sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported. Attempts will result in a 400 error response with code 21614, and messages will not be logged or charged.
The Telecommunications Law 2013 governs SMS communications, requiring explicit consent before sending marketing messages. Maintain detailed consent records and comply with opt-out requirements, content restrictions, and sending time limitations.
Pre-registration is required with all operators except MyTel, and the provisioning time is approximately 11 days. Note that MyTel may modify your sender ID even after successful registration.
Restricted content includes gambling, adult content, unauthorized financial services, unauthorized political campaigns, and cryptocurrency promotions. Regulated industries like banking and healthcare have additional compliance requirements.
Standard GSM-7 encoding allows 160 characters per segment, while Unicode (UCS-2), necessary for Myanmar text, allows 70 characters per segment. Concatenated messages are supported to send longer messages.
Initialize the Twilio client with your Account SID and Auth Token. Use the client.messages.create()
method, ensuring the recipient number starts with +95, the from
parameter uses your pre-registered sender ID, and you set optional parameters like statusCallback
.
The three major mobile operators are MPT (Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications), Ooredoo, and Telenor Myanmar. While OTT apps are popular, SMS remains vital, particularly in rural areas and for business communication.
Monitor delivery rates through your chosen SMS API provider’s reporting tools. Track delivery receipts, carrier-specific errors, and overall success rates to optimize your messaging strategy.
Limit messages to 160 characters, include a clear call to action, use your company name in the sender ID, and avoid excessive punctuation. Respect quiet hours and religious holidays. Send a maximum of four marketing messages per user per month.
Number portability is not available, meaning phone numbers remain tied to their original operator. This simplifies message routing and delivery.
The article doesn't detail the registration process but advises reviewing the Telecommunications Law 2013 and their website (provided in the additional resources section) for further details on registration procedures.
Myanmar SMS Guide: Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Send SMS messages to Myanmar (+95) in full compliance with local telecommunications regulations. This guide covers sender ID registration (11-day process), operator-specific requirements for MPT, Ooredoo, and Telenor Myanmar, Unicode (UCS-2) encoding for Burmese language, Telecommunications Law 2013 compliance, and API integration examples.
Myanmar SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Three major operators dominate Myanmar's mobile market: MPT (Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications), Ooredoo, and Telenor Myanmar. Urban areas favor OTT messaging apps like Viber and Facebook Messenger, but SMS remains essential for business communications and authentication – especially in rural regions where Android devices significantly outnumber iOS. Use SMS to reach Myanmar's broader population effectively.
Cost Comparison by Operator:
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Myanmar
Myanmar supports comprehensive SMS functionality including two-way messaging and concatenated messages, though with specific restrictions and requirements for different sender ID types.
Two-way SMS Support
Myanmar supports two-way SMS across all major mobile networks with no special restrictions, making it suitable for customer service and interactive campaigns.
Common use cases:
Technical setup: Configure webhook endpoints to receive inbound messages and process them within your application. Response times vary by network but typically occur within seconds.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenation is supported across most networks, though some limitations exist for certain sender ID types, particularly with MyTel network.
Message length rules:
Encoding considerations: Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings are supported. UCS-2 is required for Myanmar language (Burmese) characters.
Cost implications: Carriers charge per segment. A 320-character GSM-7 message counts as 2 segments. A 140-character Unicode message counts as 2 segments. Plan your message length accordingly to manage costs.
Character count examples:
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. This conversion ensures broader compatibility and reliable delivery across all Myanmar networks. Host media content on a secure, mobile-optimized platform and include short URLs in messages.
Technical specifications:
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in Myanmar. Phone numbers remain tied to their original mobile network operator_ simplifying message routing and delivery.
Carrier Identification by Number Prefix:
Sending SMS to Landlines
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported in Myanmar. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers result in a 400 response with error code 21614_ and such messages will not appear in logs or incur charges.
Identifying mobile vs. landline numbers: Mobile numbers in Myanmar start with +959 followed by 7–9 digits. Landline numbers use different prefixes (e.g._ +951 for Yangon_ +952 for Mandalay). Validate number format before sending to avoid errors.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Myanmar
The Telecommunications Law 2013_ overseen by the Posts and Telecommunications Department under the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC)_ governs SMS communications in Myanmar. All SMS marketing activities must comply with these regulations and obtain necessary approvals.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
Best Practices for Documentation:
Sample consent form language: "I agree to receive SMS messages from [Company Name] about [specific purpose]. I can opt out at any time by replying STOP. Message rates may apply."
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Technical implementation: Configure your SMS platform to detect keywords (case-insensitive) and automatically update your subscriber database. Send confirmation messages within 60 seconds of receiving opt-out requests.
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
Myanmar does not maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry. Maintain your own compliance:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Major holidays to avoid:
Emergency message definition: Messages related to urgent security notifications_ critical service disruptions_ fraud alerts_ or life-threatening situations qualify as emergency messages exempt from quiet hours.
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for Myanmar
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Supported by all operators except MyTel
Registration requirements: Pre-registration required with 11-day provisioning time
Sender ID preservation: Yes_ except for MyTel network where it may be modified
Registration process:
Character limits and formatting:
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: Yes for domestic numbers
Provisioning time: Immediate for domestic numbers
Use cases: Limited to person-to-person communications
P2P vs. A2P distinction: Person-to-Person (P2P) messaging is informal communication between individuals. Application-to-Person (A2P) is commercial messaging from businesses to consumers. A2P requires alphanumeric sender IDs or short codes in Myanmar.
Short Codes
Support: Not currently supported in Myanmar
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Short code availability is under regulatory review. Check with MOTC for updates on future implementation timelines.
Restricted SMS Content_ Industries_ and Use Cases
Restricted Industries:
Political message authorization: Obtain approval from the Union Election Commission (UEC) before sending political campaign messages. Submit campaign plans and message templates 30 days before sending.
Unauthorized financial services definition: Financial services operating without license from the Central Bank of Myanmar_ including unlicensed lending_ investment schemes_ and money transfer services.
Regulated Industries:
Approval process timelines:
Contact information for regulatory bodies:
Content Filtering
Known Carrier Filters:
Specific thresholds:
Appeals process: Contact your SMS provider's support team with message details and delivery failure logs. Providers can submit whitelist requests to carriers on your behalf. Resolution typically takes 3–5 business days.
Best Practices:
Common spam trigger words in Myanmar context: အခမဲ့ (free), ဆုလာဘ် (prize), အမြန် (urgent), ကန့်သတ်ချိန် (limited time), အခုပဲ (now only)
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Myanmar
Messaging Strategy
Message template examples:
Appointment Reminder: "[ClinicName]: Your appointment is on Jan 15 at 2 PM. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule. Call 01-234567 for help."
Order Confirmation: "[StoreName]: Order #12345 confirmed. Estimated delivery: Jan 16. Track at: [short-link]. Questions? Call 09-87654321."
OTP Verification: "Your [AppName] verification code is 456789. Valid for 10 minutes. Do not share this code with anyone."
Sending Frequency and Timing
Source for 4 messages/month limit: This follows CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (international standard), adapted for Myanmar market conditions based on carrier recommendations.
Religious holidays and national events:
Localization
Regional dialect considerations: While Standard Burmese is understood nationwide, consider regional variations in Shan, Karen, and Rakhine areas. Use neutral, formal language for broader appeal.
Device testing checklist:
Opt-Out Management
Technical implementation guidance: Implement a database table with fields: phone_number, opt_out_date, opt_out_method, confirmation_sent, and campaign_id. Set up automated processes to sync this table with your messaging platform's suppression list every 6 hours.
Testing and Monitoring
Testing procedures:
KPI benchmarks and performance targets:
SMS API integrations for Myanmar
Twilio
Twilio provides robust SMS capabilities for Myanmar through their REST API. Authentication requires your Account SID and Auth Token.
Sinch
Sinch offers direct carrier connections in Myanmar. Their API requires API Token and Service Plan ID.
MessageBird
MessageBird provides reliable SMS delivery in Myanmar with strong delivery reporting.
Plivo
Plivo offers competitive rates and good coverage in Myanmar.
API Rate Limits and Throughput
Provider-specific rate limits:
General guidelines:
Exponential backoff example:
Throughput Management Strategies:
Queue system architecture recommendations:
Error Handling and Reporting
Common Error Codes:
Logging Best Practices:
Structured logging format example:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Myanmar's country code for SMS messages?
Myanmar's country code is +95. When sending SMS messages to Myanmar from abroad, use +95 followed by the mobile number. Myanmar mobile numbers typically start with 9 after the country code (e.g., +959XXXXXXXXX). All international SMS must include the +95 prefix for proper delivery.
Which mobile operators serve Myanmar?
Myanmar has three major mobile network operators: MPT (Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications), Ooredoo Myanmar, and Telenor Myanmar. MyTel is a fourth operator with limited SMS support. MPT is the state-owned incumbent operator, while Ooredoo and Telenor entered the market in 2014. Test your SMS delivery across all three major carriers to ensure optimal reach.
Operator coverage and regional strength:
Is number portability available in Myanmar?
No, number portability is not available in Myanmar. Phone numbers remain permanently tied to their original mobile network operator. This simplifies message routing since you can identify the carrier from the number prefix, but users cannot switch operators while keeping their phone number.
What encoding should I use for Burmese language SMS?
Use Unicode (UCS-2) encoding for all SMS messages containing Burmese (Myanmar language) characters. UCS-2 encoding limits each message segment to 70 characters instead of the standard 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding. Both encodings are supported, but UCS-2 is required for proper rendering of Myanmar script.
Mixed-content encoding guidance: If your message contains both English and Burmese characters, the entire message must use UCS-2 encoding. Keep messages under 70 characters to avoid segmentation costs. Consider sending English-only versions to reduce character usage when possible.
How long does sender ID registration take in Myanmar?
Alphanumeric sender ID registration in Myanmar requires 11 days for provisioning. Pre-register your sender IDs with all operators before launching campaigns. Plan accordingly and submit registration requests well in advance of your campaign start date. MyTel network may modify or not preserve registered sender IDs.
What are Myanmar's SMS quiet hours?
Myanmar's quiet hours are 22:00–06:00 Myanmar Time (MMT, UTC+6:30). Avoid sending marketing messages during this period to comply with regulations and respect recipients. The recommended sending window is 09:00–20:00 MMT. Emergency messages are exempt from time restrictions. Always consider religious holidays and major national events when scheduling campaigns.
Do I need consent for SMS marketing in Myanmar?
Yes, obtain written or electronic consent before sending marketing messages in Myanmar. The Telecommunications Law 2013 requires explicit consent for all commercial communications. Implement double opt-in for marketing campaigns, maintain detailed consent records with timestamps, and honor opt-out requests within 24 hours. Include clear opt-out instructions in every marketing message.
What are the penalties for SMS violations in Myanmar?
The Telecommunications Law 2013, overseen by the Posts and Telecommunications Department under the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), governs SMS penalties in Myanmar. Violations can result in service suspension, fines ranging from 500,000 MMK to 5,000,000 MMK (approximately $240–$2,400 USD), and legal action for serious offenses. Banking and financial services without Central Bank approval face particularly strict enforcement. Maintain comprehensive compliance documentation to avoid penalties.
Penalty escalation process:
Enforcement example: In 2023, an unlicensed lending service was fined 3,000,000 MMK and suspended for 6 months for sending unsolicited SMS without proper consent or Central Bank authorization.
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways:
Implementation Timeline:
Total estimated timeline: 4–6 weeks from start to production launch
Implementation Checklist:
Additional Information:
Community and Support: