Frequently Asked Questions
Use a reputable SMS API provider like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo. Ensure your sender ID is pre-registered, especially for alphanumeric IDs, and comply with local regulations. Remember two-way SMS requires special handling via local aggregators as it's not supported through standard A2P channels.
As of 2022, Mozambique had 17.14 million mobile connections, representing 52.5% of the population. While OTT apps are growing, SMS remains crucial due to its reliability, especially in rural areas.
Short codes are not currently supported in Mozambique. For sending SMS, utilize pre-registered alphanumeric sender IDs or international long codes (though these may be overwritten and are not recommended as the primary method).
Adhere to East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+2) and send messages between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM EAT on weekdays, and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EAT on weekends. Avoid major holidays and religious observances.
No, sending SMS messages to landlines in Mozambique is not supported. Attempts to do so will result in a failed delivery and an error response (400 error code 21614) from the API, but no charges will occur.
Obtain clear, documented opt-in consent before sending marketing messages. Maintain records of consent, include terms and conditions during opt-in, and provide transparent information about message frequency and content type.
All SMS campaigns must support opt-out keywords (STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE in English and PARAR, CANCELAR in Portuguese). HELP/AJUDA should provide service information. Responses should be in both Portuguese and English, processed within 24 hours.
Mozambique follows standard SMS length limits: 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding and 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding. Concatenated messages are supported to send longer messages.
Avoid gambling, adult content, unauthorized financial services, political messaging without authorization, and cryptocurrency promotions in your SMS messages.
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link for compatibility across all networks. Recipients can then view the rich media content online.
Number portability is not available in Mozambique. Mobile numbers are tied to their original network operators, which simplifies message routing and delivery.
Process opt-outs within 24 hours, maintain a centralized opt-out database, include opt-out instructions in every message, and conduct regular audits for compliance.
Limit SMS messages to 2-3 per week per recipient. Respect local business hours, consider Ramadan and other religious observances, and avoid sending during national holidays.
Alphanumeric sender IDs are supported but require pre-registration, especially with Movitel. The provisioning time is approximately two weeks. Pre-registration ensures sender ID preservation.
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Mozambique SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Mozambique SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Mozambique has a growing mobile market with 17.14 million mobile connections as of 2022, representing 52.5% of the population. The market is dominated by three major operators: Vodacom, Movitel, and TMcel (formerly MCEL). While OTT messaging apps are gaining popularity in urban areas, SMS remains a crucial communication channel due to its reliability and widespread accessibility, particularly in rural regions. Android devices dominate the mobile ecosystem due to their affordability and availability.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Mozambique
Mozambique supports basic SMS functionality with some limitations on two-way messaging and specific requirements for sender IDs, while offering support for concatenated messages and MMS conversion.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Mozambique through standard A2P channels. Businesses looking to implement two-way communication will need to explore alternative solutions or work with local aggregators.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenation is supported for most sender ID types, though support may vary by carrier.
Message length rules: Standard SMS length limits apply - 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding, 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding.
Encoding considerations: Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings are supported, with UCS-2 being particularly important for messages containing local language characters.
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. This ensures compatibility across all networks while still allowing rich media content to be shared through a web-based interface.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in Mozambique. This means mobile numbers remain tied to their original network operators, which can simplify message routing and delivery.
Sending SMS to Landlines
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported in Mozambique. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in a failed delivery and an error response (400 error code 21614) from the API, with no charges applied to the sender's account.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Mozambique
SMS communications in Mozambique are regulated by the Mozambican National Communications Institute (INCM). While specific SMS marketing regulations are still evolving, businesses must adhere to general telecommunications guidelines and international best practices for messaging.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While Mozambique does not maintain an official Do Not Call registry, businesses should:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Mozambique follows East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+2) Recommended Sending Windows:
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for in Mozambique
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Supported with pre-registration requirements
Registration requirements: Pre-registration required for Mozambique Movitel; no segregation between International and Domestic Traffic
Sender ID preservation: Yes, preserved for pre-registered IDs
Provisioning time: Approximately 2 weeks
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: No, international long codes may be overwritten
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: Not recommended for primary messaging; use pre-registered alphanumeric IDs instead
Short Codes
Support: Not currently supported in Mozambique
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
Restricted Industries and Content:
Content Filtering
Known Carrier Filtering Rules:
Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Mozambique
Messaging Strategy
Sending Frequency and Timing
Localization
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
SMS API integrations for Mozambique
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust SMS API with specific support for Mozambique. Authentication uses your Account SID and Auth Token.
Sinch
Sinch offers comprehensive SMS capabilities for Mozambique with REST API support.
MessageBird
MessageBird provides reliable SMS delivery to Mozambique with detailed delivery reporting.
Plivo
Plivo offers straightforward SMS integration for Mozambique messaging.
API Rate Limits and Throughput
Error Handling and Reporting
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
Compliance Priorities
Technical Considerations
Best Practices
Next Steps
Additional Resources