Frequently Asked Questions
Use a reputable SMS API provider like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo. Remember to prepend the French Polynesia country code (+689) to the recipient's phone number and comply with local regulations.
Standard SMS messages are limited to 160 characters when using GSM-7 encoding, or 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding, which allows for special characters like those used in Tahitian.
According to current network limitations, French Polynesia only supports one-way business-to-consumer SMS communication. Two-way messaging is not currently available.
The preferred sending window is between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM French Polynesia Time (FPT). Avoid sending messages between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM FPT out of respect for local time zones and customs.
No, SMS to landline numbers is not supported. Attempts will result in failed delivery and a 400 error code (21614) from the API, but you will not be charged.
French Polynesia follows French national telecommunications laws, primarily enforced by ARCEP and CNIL. Businesses must obtain explicit consent before sending marketing messages, honor opt-out requests promptly, and maintain thorough records of consent.
Obtain written or electronic consent that is freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous before sending marketing SMS. Double opt-in verification is strongly recommended, and consent records must be kept for at least three years.
All marketing SMS must include clear opt-out instructions. STOP ("STOP pour désabonner") and HELP/AIDE commands must be supported in French, and ideally Tahitian, for local accessibility.
Alphanumeric sender IDs are dynamically supported without pre-registration. While domestic long codes are technically supported by operators, they aren't available via major providers, whereas short codes are entirely unsupported in the region.
Keep messages concise (under 160 characters), personalize with recipient names, include clear call-to-actions, maintain a consistent sender ID, and limit sending frequency to 2-3 messages per week per recipient.
Process opt-out requests within 24 hours. Maintain a centralized opt-out database and ensure clear opt-out instructions in every message, confirming opt-out requests with an acknowledgment message.
Gambling, adult content, unauthorized financial services, prescription medications, and political messaging without proper disclaimers are restricted. Content filtering may also block messages with certain keywords, suspicious URLs, or excessive special characters.
Use clear and professional language, avoid URL shorteners, include legitimate business identifiers in messages, and maintain consistent sending patterns.
Providers like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo offer SMS APIs. Ensure you follow their documentation and include the French Polynesia country code (+689) when sending messages.
The default rate limit is typically one message per second per destination. Batch sending allows up to 500 recipients per batch, and daily sending limits may vary based on account type.
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French Polynesia (France) SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
French Polynesia (France) SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: French Polynesia operates under French telecommunications regulations while maintaining its distinct market characteristics. The mobile market is dominated by local operators providing SMS services across the territory's 118 islands. While OTT messaging apps are gaining popularity, SMS remains a crucial communication channel due to its reliability across the archipelago's dispersed geography.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in French Polynesia
French Polynesia supports basic SMS functionality with some limitations on advanced features like concatenation and two-way messaging.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in French Polynesia according to current network capabilities. Messages can only be sent one-way from business to consumer.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Concatenated messages are not supported in French Polynesia.
Message length rules: Messages must adhere to standard SMS character limits:
Encoding considerations: GSM-7 is recommended for standard messages, while UCS-2 should be used when Tahitian characters are required.
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link to access the multimedia content. This ensures message delivery while providing access to rich media through web links.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in French Polynesia. Phone numbers remain tied to their original mobile network operators.
Sending SMS to Landlines
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported in French Polynesia. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in a failed delivery and a 400 response error (code 21614) from the messaging API, with no charges applied to the sender's account.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in French Polynesia (France)
French Polynesia follows French national telecommunications laws while maintaining territorial specifications. The primary regulatory bodies are ARCEP (L'Autorit?? de r??gulation des communications ??lectroniques) and CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libert??s), which oversee SMS communications and data privacy respectively.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
Documentation Requirements:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While French Polynesia doesn't maintain a separate Do Not Call registry, businesses must:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Sending Windows:
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for in French Polynesia (France)
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Supported
Registration requirements: Dynamic usage allowed without pre-registration
Sender ID preservation: Sender IDs are generally preserved as sent
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: Original sender ID typically preserved
Provisioning time: N/A for domestic, varies for international
Use cases: Transactional messaging, customer support
Short Codes
Support: Not supported in French Polynesia
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
Restricted Industries:
Content Filtering
Known Carrier Rules:
Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:
Best Practices for Sending SMS in French Polynesia (France)
Messaging Strategy
Sending Frequency and Timing
Localization
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
SMS API integrations for French Polynesia (France)
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust SMS API for sending messages to French Polynesia. Integration requires your Account SID and Auth Token for authentication.
Sinch
Sinch offers SMS capabilities with straightforward integration using their SDK.
MessageBird
MessageBird provides a simple API for sending SMS messages to French Polynesia.
Plivo
Plivo offers SMS capabilities with comprehensive delivery reporting.
API Rate Limits and Throughput
Strategies for Large-Scale Sending:
Error Handling and Reporting
Common Error Codes:
Logging Best Practices:
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways:
Next Steps:
Additional Information:
Industry Resources: