How to Stay Compliant with SMS Regulations in Turkey

SMS marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach customers in Turkey, but businesses must comply with strict regulations set by the Turkish government to protect consumers from spam and unwanted communication. Whether you’re a global enterprise or a local brand, understanding these rules is essential to avoid penalties and ensure smooth delivery.

• Country code: TR
• Calling code: +90
• Mobile number portability (MNP): Yes
• Mobile Country Code (MCC): 286
• Regulator: Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA)
• Major Carriers: Türk Telekom, Turkcell İletişim Hizmetleri, Vodafone Turkey

If you plan to send SMS messages in Turkey, here are the main compliance requirements to follow:

1. SenderID Registration

• Alphanumeric Sender IDs must be registered with all Turkish networks.
• Generic sender IDs such as INFO, SMS, and NOTICE are prohibited.
• Sender IDs must include the brand name and are case-sensitive.
  

2. Message Format Rules

• Maximum SMS length: 160 characters.
• Out of these, 5 characters are reserved for the operator code at the end (e.g., B002).
• Messages must include a 4-digit operator identifier assigned by the Turkish Telecom Board.

3. Customer Consent (Opt-in)

• Businesses must obtain prior consent from customers before sending marketing SMS.
• Opt-in methods: SMS confirmation, online form, or verbal consent.

4. Opt-out Requirement

• Every promotional SMS must include an opt-out mechanism (e.g., reply STOP).

4.Restricted Content

• Prohibited categories: gambling, politics, religion, and person-to-person (P2P) traffic.
• Messages with operator names or improper content are not allowed.

5. Quiet Hours Restrictions

• Retail SMS marketing messages cannot be sent between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in the recipient’s time zone.

6. Banking and Finance SMS

• Sender IDs for financial institutions require an official authorization letter from the client.

1. Please provide the following information to the D7 sales team, and we will process your registration

• SenderID,
• Company Name
• The Content of the message
• Website URL
• Company or brand registration document (this document proves that the SenderID belongs to the company, and the document has to contain the Sender ID):

2. The set-up time for registration is 5 working days.

In this specific country, International SMS and National SMS are charged at the same rates. The charge for the service is per every submitted SMS. Visit SMS API Pricing for more details about rates.