Bahrain SMS Regulations: Best Practices
The regulations and best practices to be followed to send SMS in Bahrain.
Understanding SMS regulations in Bahrain is essential for businesses aiming to deliver compliant and effective messaging campaigns. Bahrain, an island country in West Asia, has a highly connected population, with approximately 2.3 million active mobile connections asof early 2024, exceeding its total population. This makes SMS a powerful channel for promotional, transactional, and verification messaging.
However, to ensure high deliverability and regulatory compliance, businesses must follow specific guidelines and industry best practices.
Country Information
Country Code: BH
Calling Code: +973
Mobile Number Portability (MNP): Yes
Mobile Country Code (MCC): 426
Major Telecom Operators: Ooredoo, Batelco, Zain, STC
Regulations For Sending SMS in Bahrain
To maintain compliance across all Bahrain networks:
- Dynamic Alpha Sender ID is permitted across all operators.
- Numeric and generic Sender IDs are strictly prohibited.
For a more detailed breakdown of regulatory requirements, visit our guide on D7 Networks’s Bahrain SMS compliance
Best Practices to be Follow
Adhering to best practices not only ensures compliance but also improves engagement and delivery rates:
Send marketing messages only to users who have explicitly opted in.
Ensure transactional messages are sent only to customers with an existing relationship.
Provide a clear opt-out mechanism, such as:
A website link
A toll-free number
Free SMS reply options
Avoid sending political, religious, unsolicited, or gambling-related content.
Schedule messages during daytime hours, unless urgent.
Include HELP/STOP instructions in the recipient’s native language.
Avoid using generic Sender IDs like INFO, SMS, or NOTICE.
Do not message users registered under Do Not Disturb (DND) or Do Not Call (DNC) lists.
Fee
- There is no fee for Bahrain SenderID registration.
- The charge for the service is per SMS submitted.
Visit SMS API Pricing for more details
