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Vanuatu SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Vanuatu SMS Market Overview
Locale name:
Vanuatu
ISO code:
VU
Region
Oceania
Mobile country code (MCC)
541
Dialing Code
+678
Market Conditions: Vanuatu's mobile market is characterized by a growing reliance on SMS communications for both personal and business use. The telecommunications sector is served by several mobile operators, with SMS remaining a crucial communication channel due to its reliability and widespread accessibility across the archipelago. While OTT messaging apps are gaining popularity in urban areas, SMS continues to be the most dependable option for reaching users across all regions, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Vanuatu
Vanuatu supports basic SMS functionality with some limitations on advanced features like two-way messaging and concatenation.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Vanuatu through major SMS providers. This means businesses can send messages to users, but cannot receive replies through the same channel.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Concatenated messaging is not supported in Vanuatu. Message length rules: Standard SMS character limits apply. Encoding considerations: Messages should use GSM-7 encoding when possible to maximize character limit and ensure compatibility.
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. This conversion ensures message delivery while providing a way to share multimedia content through linked resources.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in Vanuatu. This means mobile numbers remain tied to their original carrier, simplifying message routing and delivery.
Sending SMS to Landlines
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not possible in Vanuatu. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in a failed delivery and a 400 response with error code 21614. These messages will not appear in logs, and accounts will not be charged for failed attempts.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Vanuatu
SMS communications in Vanuatu are governed by the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act No. 30 of 2009. The Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) oversees compliance and enforcement of telecommunications regulations.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
Obtain clear, documented opt-in consent before sending any marketing messages
Maintain detailed records of when and how consent was obtained
Include clear terms and conditions during the opt-in process
Specify the types of messages users will receive and approximate frequency
Best Practices for Consent Collection:
Use double opt-in processes for marketing campaigns
Store consent records with timestamp and source
Regularly update and clean consent databases
Provide clear privacy policies and terms of service
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
All SMS campaigns must support standard STOP and HELP commands
Keywords should be recognized in both English and French (Vanuatu's official languages)
Common commands include:
STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL
HELP, INFO, AIDE
Responses should be immediate and in the same language as the request
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While Vanuatu does not maintain an official Do Not Call registry, businesses should:
Maintain their own suppression lists
Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
Keep records of opted-out numbers
Regularly clean contact lists against suppression databases
Time Zone Sensitivity
Vanuatu observes VUT (UTC+11) time zone. Best practices include:
Send messages between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM local time
Avoid messaging during public holidays
Consider cultural and religious observances
Only send urgent messages outside these hours if explicitly authorized
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for in Vanuatu
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Dynamic alphanumeric sender IDs are supported Registration requirements: No pre-registration required Sender ID preservation: Sender IDs are generally preserved as sent
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Domestic long codes are not supported
International long codes can be used for messaging
Sender ID preservation: Original sender IDs are typically preserved Provisioning time: Immediate to 24 hours Use cases: Ideal for transactional messages and two-factor authentication
Short Codes
Support: Short codes are not currently supported in Vanuatu Provisioning time: N/A Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
Restricted Industries and Content:
Gambling and betting services
Adult content or services
Unauthorized financial services
Cryptocurrency promotions
Political messaging without proper authorization
Content Filtering
Known Carrier Filtering Rules:
Messages containing certain keywords may be blocked
URLs from suspicious domains are filtered
High-volume identical messages may be flagged
Tips to Avoid Blocking:
Avoid spam trigger words
Use approved URL shorteners
Vary message content for bulk sends
Maintain consistent sending patterns
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Vanuatu
Messaging Strategy
Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
Include clear calls-to-action
Personalize messages using recipient data
Maintain consistent brand voice
Sending Frequency and Timing
Limit to 4-5 messages per month per recipient
Space messages at least 24 hours apart
Respect local holidays and customs
Monitor engagement rates to optimize timing
Localization
Support both English and French
Consider local Bislama phrases where appropriate
Use clear, simple language
Account for cultural sensitivities
Opt-Out Management
Process opt-outs within 24 hours
Maintain centralized opt-out database
Include opt-out instructions in messages
Regular audit of opt-out compliance
Testing and Monitoring
Test across major local carriers
Monitor delivery rates daily
Track engagement metrics
Regular A/B testing of message content
Document and analyze delivery failures
SMS API integrations for Vanuatu
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust SMS API for sending messages to Vanuatu. Here's how to implement it:
import{ Twilio }from'twilio';// Initialize Twilio client with your credentialsconst client =newTwilio( process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);asyncfunctionsendSMSToVanuatu( to:string, message:string, senderId:string):Promise<void>{try{// Ensure phone number is in E.164 format for Vanuatu (+678)const formattedNumber = to.startsWith('+678')? to :`+678${to}`;const response =await client.messages.create({ body: message, from: senderId, to: formattedNumber,// Enable delivery status tracking statusCallback:'https://your-webhook-url.com/status'});console.log(`Message sent successfully! SID: ${response.sid}`);}catch(error){console.error('Error sending message:', error);throw error;}}
Sinch
Sinch offers comprehensive SMS capabilities for Vanuatu messaging: