F.A.Q. on SMS

Answers to some very frequently asked questions on SMS in U.A.E.

Q. What do I get in the AED500 SMS package?

→ You'll get 5,000 SMS messages allowing you to send a SMS to any mobile number in the U.A.E.. If you need a higher volume, check out other available packages.

Q. How will I send messages?

→ We'll provide you with training & a user-friendly online portal to send messages.

Q. Do I need an Internet connection to send messages?

→ Yes.

Q. How long are my credits valid for?

→ 1 year from your invoice date after which any unused credits will be forfeited.

Q. What's the difference between promotional and transactional messages?

→ Promotional messages are categorized as for promoting a product or service where as transactional messages are for notification puposes, OTP etc. All promotional messages require a mandatory OPT-OUT clause to be appended to the message.

Q. Can I use my credits for promotional and transactional messages?

→ Yes.

Q. Which languages can I send messages in?

→ All languages are supported.

Q. How many credits are deducted per SMS?

→ 1 credit counts towards 1 message limited to the following character limits: 1 message in English is limited to 160 characters where as any other language requires UNICODE which is limited to 70 characters. Higher character counts will be charged 2 or more credits per message. You may use this tool to find out how many credits your message text will deduct.

Q. What is SenderID?

→ SenderID is a 11 character alphanumeric text shown as the name of the sender. Highlighted in yellow in the following image.

Q. Is SenderID mandatory?

→ No, SenderID is optional. If you don't require it your messages will be sent with a generic SenderID eg. SMS ALERT or an available short code eg. 6226

Q. How do I get my SenderID?

→ A copy of your valid trade license is required along with a template form filled on your company letter head with your official stamp. This template simply states the SenderID you will be registering and what is the purpose of it.

Q. Are there any limitations on SenderID text?

→ Yes, SenderID is limited to 11 alphanumeric characters (0-9 A-Z a-z).

Q. Are there any regulations in the U.A.E. on sending SMS?

→ TRA, the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority in the U.A.E., requires that no promotional messages be sent from 9:00 P.M. until 7:00 A.M.

Q. What reports are available?

→ There are reports available in the portal showing the mobile number the messages was sent to along with the message text, the date and time of broadcast and the status of the message. You may filter this report by date.

Q. How do I track engagement with my SMS?

→ You may use shortened links to track clicks in your message.

Q. How quickly can I get started?

→ Instantly. However, if you are registering your SenderID then it may take 3-4 working days to get it registered with the operator.

Q. I did not get any response from my broadcast, why?

→ There is no right answer to this question. The use of or interest in your promoted product or service is at the recipient's discretion.

Q. Can I get a demo account?

→ Yes, please visit this page and click on the "I need a demo" button, fill out the form and submit. We'll send you your demo account credentials.

Last updated August 2017