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Algeria SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Algeria SMS Market Overview
Locale name:
Algeria
ISO code:
DZ
Region
Middle East & Africa
Mobile country code (MCC)
603
Dialing Code
+213
Market Conditions: Algeria has a robust mobile telecommunications market dominated by three major operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo. SMS remains a critical communication channel for business messaging, with high mobile penetration rates. While OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp are popular for personal communication, SMS is preferred for business-critical messages due to its reliability and universal reach. Android devices dominate the market, accounting for approximately 85% of mobile devices.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Algeria
Algeria supports most standard SMS features including concatenated messaging and alphanumeric sender IDs, though two-way SMS functionality is limited and MMS requires conversion to SMS with URL links.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Algeria through standard A2P channels. Businesses requiring interactive messaging capabilities should consider alternative communication methods or implement one-way messaging strategies with clear call-to-action instructions.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenation is supported across all major carriers, though support may vary by sender ID type. Message length rules: Standard GSM-7 encoding allows 160 characters per segment, while Unicode (UCS-2) messages are limited to 70 characters per segment. Encoding considerations: GSM-7 is recommended for Latin-based text, while UCS-2 is required for Arabic characters and special symbols. Messages using UCS-2 encoding will be automatically split into smaller segments.
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. This conversion ensures broader compatibility and reliable delivery across all carriers. When sending media content, ensure the linked content remains accessible for a reasonable duration and is mobile-optimized.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in Algeria. This means phone numbers remain tied to their original carrier, simplifying message routing and delivery processes.
Sending SMS to Landlines
SMS cannot be sent to landline numbers in Algeria. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in immediate failure with a 400 response code (error code 21614). These messages will not appear in logs and accounts will not be charged.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Algeria
Algeria maintains strict regulations for SMS communications, overseen by the Regulatory Authority for Post and Electronic Communications (ARPCE). Organizations must comply with both telecommunications regulations and data protection laws when conducting SMS campaigns.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
Written or electronic consent must be obtained before sending any marketing messages
Consent records must be maintained with comprehensive audit trails
Purpose of communication must be clearly stated during opt-in
Double opt-in is recommended for marketing campaigns
Best Practices for Documentation:
Store consent timestamps and IP addresses
Maintain records of opt-in sources and methods
Document the specific services or communications users agreed to receive
Keep consent records for a minimum of 2 years
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
All SMS campaigns must support STOP, HELP, and OPT-OUT keywords
Commands must be recognized in both Arabic and French
Standard keywords include:
STOP/ARRÊT/توقف (stop messages)
AIDE/HELP/مساعدة (get help)
INFO/معلومات (get information)
Response to these commands must be immediate and free of charge
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While Algeria does not maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry, organizations must:
Maintain their own suppression lists
Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
Implement proper screening mechanisms to filter opted-out numbers
Regular audit and update suppression lists
Time Zone Sensitivity
Time Restrictions:
Standard sending hours: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Algeria time (UTC+1)
Avoid sending during prayer times
Emergency messages exempt from time restrictions
Respect Ramadan timing adjustments
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for Algeria
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Fully supported across all major networks Registration requirements: Pre-registration required with documentation
Business registration documents needed
Brand name verification required
2-week average approval time
Sender ID preservation: Yes, displayed as registered across all carriers
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Domestic long codes not available
International long codes supported but with limitations
Sender ID preservation: No, may be changed for compliance
Provisioning time: Immediate for international numbers
Use cases: Recommended for transactional messaging and 2FA
Short Codes
Support: Not currently supported in Algeria
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
Prohibited Content:
Gambling and betting services
Adult content or dating services
Political messaging without authorization
Religious content without proper permits
Cryptocurrency and unauthorized financial services
Content Filtering
Carrier Filtering Rules:
Messages containing restricted keywords are automatically blocked
URLs must be from approved domains
Message content screened for compliance with local regulations
Tips to Avoid Blocking:
Avoid URL shorteners
Use registered sender IDs
Keep content clear and professional
Avoid excessive punctuation or special characters
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Algeria
Messaging Strategy
Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
Include clear call-to-action
Personalize messages using recipient's name
Maintain consistent sender ID across campaigns
Sending Frequency and Timing
Limit to 4-5 messages per month per recipient
Respect religious and national holidays
Avoid sending during Friday prayers
Schedule campaigns during business hours
Localization
Support both Arabic and French languages
Right-to-left text formatting for Arabic
Use local date and time formats
Consider cultural sensitivities in content
Opt-Out Management
Include opt-out instructions in every message
Process opt-outs within 24 hours
Maintain centralized opt-out database
Regular audit of opt-out compliance
Testing and Monitoring
Test across all three major carriers
Monitor delivery rates by carrier
Track opt-out rates and patterns
Regular review of message performance metrics
SMS API integrations for Algeria
Twilio
Twilio provides robust SMS capabilities for Algeria through their REST API. Authentication uses your Account SID and Auth Token, with support for alphanumeric sender IDs.
import*as Twilio from'twilio';// Initialize client with environment variablesconst client =newTwilio( process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);asyncfunctionsendSMSToAlgeria(){try{// Send message with proper Algeria phone formattingconst message =await client.messages.create({ body:'Your message in French or Arabic',// Message content from:'YourBrand',// Registered alphanumeric sender ID to:'+213XXXXXXXXX',// Algeria number in E.164 format// Optional parameters for delivery tracking statusCallback:'https://your-callback-url.com/status'});console.log(`Message sent successfully: ${message.sid}`);}catch(error){console.error('Error sending message:', error);}}
Sinch
Sinch offers direct carrier connections in Algeria with support for high-volume messaging.
Burst rate: Up to 25 messages per second with approval
Daily quota: Based on account standing and carrier agreements
Throughput Management:
Implement exponential backoff for retry logic
Use batch APIs for high-volume sending
Queue messages during peak times
Monitor delivery rates by carrier
Error Handling and Reporting
Best Practices:
Log all API responses and message IDs
Implement webhook handlers for delivery receipts
Monitor carrier-specific error codes
Set up alerts for unusual error rates
Common Error Scenarios:
// Example error handling implementationasyncfunctionhandleSMSError(error:any){switch(error.code){case'21614':// Invalid number formatconsole.error('Invalid phone number format for Algeria');break;case'30003':// Carrier rejectionconsole.error('Message rejected by carrier');break;case'30007':// Invalid sender IDconsole.error('Sender ID not registered');break;default:console.error('Unknown error:', error);}}