Frequently Asked Questions
Use the Twilio API with parameters like 'from' (sender ID), 'to' (recipient number in E.164 format), and 'body' (message content). An account SID and auth token are required.
Number portability is not available in Suriname. Users switching operators must get new numbers, affecting long-term SMS campaigns.
MMS messages are not directly supported. They're converted to SMS with a URL link where recipients can access the multimedia content.
Use a reputable SMS API provider like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo. Ensure your recipient numbers are in E.164 format (+597XXXXXXX) and comply with local regulations, including obtaining opt-in consent.
Suriname has a growing mobile market with increasing SMS usage. While OTT apps are popular, SMS remains important for business communication and critical alerts. Telesur and Digicel are the primary mobile operators.
Suriname currently doesn't support two-way SMS, meaning businesses can't receive replies to their messages. Alternative channels are needed for interactive communication.
The best time to send SMS messages in Suriname is between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM SRT (UTC-3). Avoid sending messages on weekends and public holidays unless it's urgent or for critical notifications.
No, short codes are not currently supported in Suriname. Alphanumeric sender IDs and long codes are the available options for sending SMS.
Concatenated SMS is supported. Standard SMS length is 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding and 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding before splitting into segments occurs.
You must process opt-out requests (STOP, STOPPEN, CANCEL, etc.) within 24 hours. Maintain a database of unsubscribed numbers and confirm the opt-out with a message to the user. Support commands in both Dutch and English.
The character limit for SMS in Suriname depends on the encoding: 160 characters for GSM-7 and 70 characters for UCS-2. Messages exceeding this limit will be segmented into multiple SMS messages (concatenated SMS).
While specific regulations are evolving, businesses must obtain explicit opt-in consent before sending marketing messages and adhere to international best practices for messaging. Suriname's telecommunications sector is regulated by the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS).
Restricted content includes gambling, adult content, unauthorized financial services, and unregistered pharmaceutical products. Financial and healthcare industries face additional regulations.
Sending SMS to landlines in Suriname is not possible and results in a failed delivery. You will receive a 400 error response, code 21614, but will not be charged.
Several providers offer robust APIs for sending SMS in Suriname, including Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo. Each offers slightly different features and pricing.
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Suriname SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Suriname SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Suriname has a growing mobile market with increasing SMS usage for both personal and business communications. The country's telecommunications sector is served by several mobile operators, with Telesur and Digicel being the primary providers. While OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp are gaining popularity, SMS remains a reliable communication channel, especially for business-to-consumer messaging and critical notifications. Android devices dominate the mobile market, though there is a small but significant iOS user base.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Suriname
Suriname supports basic SMS functionality with some limitations on advanced features, making it important to understand the specific capabilities and restrictions when implementing SMS communications.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Suriname, meaning businesses cannot receive replies to messages sent to local mobile numbers. This limitation affects interactive messaging campaigns and requires alternative communication channels for gathering customer responses.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenated messaging is fully supported in Suriname.
Message length rules: Standard SMS length of 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding before splitting occurs.
Encoding considerations: Messages using GSM-7 encoding can contain up to 160 characters per segment, while UCS-2 encoding (for special characters) allows up to 70 characters per segment.
MMS Support
MMS messages are not directly supported in Suriname. Instead, any MMS content is automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link where recipients can access the multimedia content. This conversion ensures that users can still receive rich media content, albeit through a web-based interface.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in Suriname. This means that when users switch mobile operators, they must obtain new phone numbers, which can impact long-term SMS campaigns and customer databases.
Sending SMS to Landlines
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not possible in Suriname. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in a failed delivery with a 400 response error (code 21614), and no charges will be incurred for these attempted messages.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Suriname
Suriname's telecommunications sector is regulated by the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS), which oversees SMS communications and marketing activities. While specific SMS marketing regulations are still evolving, businesses must follow general telecommunications guidelines and international best practices for messaging.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
Best Practices for Documentation:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Language Considerations:
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While Suriname does not maintain an official Do Not Call registry, businesses should:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Suriname follows SRT (Suriname Time, UTC-3):
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for in Suriname
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Supported
Registration requirements: Dynamic usage allowed, no pre-registration required
Sender ID preservation: Yes, sender IDs are preserved as sent
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: Yes, original sender ID is preserved
Provisioning time: 1-2 business days for domestic numbers
Use cases:
Short Codes
Support: Not currently supported in Suriname
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
Restricted Industries:
Regulated Industries:
Content Filtering
Known Carrier Filtering Rules:
Tips to Avoid Blocking:
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Suriname
Messaging Strategy
Sending Frequency and Timing
Localization
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
SMS API integrations for Suriname
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust SMS API with comprehensive support for Suriname. Integration requires an account SID and auth token for authentication.
Key Parameters:
from
: Sender ID (alphanumeric or long code)to
: Recipient number in E.164 format (+597XXXXXXX)body
: Message content (supports Unicode)Sinch
Sinch offers SMS capabilities for Suriname through their REST API, requiring API key authentication.
Key Parameters:
from
: Company name or numberto
: Array of recipient numberstext
: Message contentMessageBird
MessageBird provides SMS services for Suriname with straightforward REST API integration.
Key Parameters:
originator
: Sender name/numberrecipients
: Array of recipient numberscontent
: Message contentPlivo
Plivo offers SMS capabilities for Suriname through their cloud communications platform.
Key Parameters:
src
: Sender IDdst
: Destination numbertext
: Message contentAPI Rate Limits and Throughput
Rate Limits:
Throughput Management Strategies:
Error Handling and Reporting
Best Practices:
Common Error Scenarios:
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways:
Next Steps:
Additional Information:
Technical Resources: