Marshall Islands SMS: Best Practices, API Integration & NTA Compliance Guide

Marshall Islands SMS Market Overview (+692)

Market Conditions: The National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) regulates the Marshall Islands' mobile market, where SMS is the primary communication channel. With mobile penetration at approximately 21.1%, SMS delivers messages reliably across all device types, especially in remote locations with limited internet connectivity. Businesses sending SMS to Marshall Islands numbers must comply with NTA regulations.

SMS Features & Technical Capabilities for Marshall Islands Messaging

The Marshall Islands supports basic SMS functionality with limitations on advanced features, focusing primarily on standard message delivery through the national telecommunications infrastructure.

Two-Way SMS Support in Marshall Islands

Not Supported: The Marshall Islands does not support two-way SMS messaging. Businesses can only send one-way messages – interactive SMS campaigns, automated responses, and conversational messaging are not available for +692 numbers.

Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)

Support: Yes, concatenated messages are supported (availability varies by sender ID type).

Message length rules: Messages split according to encoding type:

• GSM-7: 160 characters per segment
• UCS-2: 70 characters per segment (for Unicode characters)

MMS Support

MMS messages convert automatically to SMS with an embedded URL link. This conversion ensures message delivery while providing access to multimedia content through web links.

Recipient Phone Number Compatibility

Number Portability

Number portability is not available. Mobile numbers remain tied to their original carrier.

Sending SMS to Landlines

SMS to landline numbers is not supported. Attempts to message landline numbers return a 400 error (code 21614) with no delivery and no charge.

Marshall Islands SMS Compliance: NTA Regulations & Legal Requirements

The National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) regulates all SMS communications in Marshall Islands. Registration Required: Businesses must register with the NTA and obtain proper licensing before sending commercial SMS to +692 numbers. The regulatory framework emphasizes consumer protection, data privacy, and opt-in consent requirements.

Consent and Opt-In

Explicit Consent Requirements:

• Obtain written or electronic consent before sending marketing messages
• Maintain consent documentation with timestamp, source, and scope
• Disclose message frequency and purpose clearly at opt-in
• Make consent records readily available for regulatory review

HELP/STOP and Other Commands

• Support standard STOP and HELP commands in all SMS campaigns
• Implement keywords in both English and Marshallese
• Standard commands:
  • Opt-out: STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, END
  • Help: HELP, INFO
• Respond to HELP messages with service information and support contact details

Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries

The Marshall Islands does not maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry. Manage your own suppression list:

• Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
• Keep opted-out number records for at least 5 years
• Implement filtering systems to prevent messaging opted-out numbers

Time Zone Sensitivity

The Marshall Islands operates in MHT (UTC+12):

• Send messages between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM MHT
• Avoid messaging during major holidays
• Reserve after-hours messaging for genuine emergencies only

Marshall Islands Sender ID Options: Long Codes, Short Codes & Alphanumeric IDs

Alphanumeric Sender ID for Marshall Islands SMS

Operator network capability: Not supported in Marshall Islands Registration requirements: N/A Sender ID preservation: N/A

Alphanumeric sender IDs (e.g., "BRAND") are not supported by Marshall Islands carriers.

Long Codes for Sending SMS to Marshall Islands

Domestic vs. International:

• Domestic long codes: Not supported
• International long codes: Fully supported for +692 numbers

Sender ID preservation: Original sender ID preserved for international long codes Provisioning time: 1–2 business days Recommended use cases:

• Transactional SMS and notifications
• Customer support messaging
• Two-factor authentication (2FA) and OTP
• Account verification messages

Short Codes

Support: Not currently supported in the Marshall Islands Provisioning time: N/A Use cases: N/A

Marshall Islands SMS Content Restrictions & Prohibited Industries

Prohibited Content:

• Gambling and betting services
• Adult content or explicit material
• Unauthorized financial services
• Cryptocurrency promotions
• Illegal products or services

Content Filtering

Carrier Filtering Rules:

• Carriers block messages containing spam keywords
• Use URLs from reputable domains only
• Excessive punctuation triggers spam filters

Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:

• Use clear, professional language
• Avoid excessive capitalization
• Limit special characters and emoji usage
• Include your company name in message body

Best Practices for Sending SMS to Marshall Islands (+692 Numbers)

Messaging Strategy

• Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
• Include clear call-to-action
• Identify your business in each message
• Use consistent sender information

Sending Frequency and Timing

• Limit to 4–5 messages per month per recipient
• Respect local holidays and customs
• Maintain consistent sending patterns
• Avoid sending during weekends unless urgent

Localization

• Support both English and Marshallese languages
• Respect cultural sensitivities in message content
• Use appropriate date and time formats (DD/MM/YYYY)
• Include country code (+692) in response numbers

Opt-Out Management

• Process opt-outs within 24 hours
• Send confirmation of opt-out completion
• Maintain accurate opt-out databases
• Conduct regular audits of opt-out lists

Testing and Monitoring

• Test messages across all major local carriers
• Monitor delivery rates daily
• Track engagement metrics (open rates, click-through rates)
• Test opt-out functionality regularly
• Document and analyze delivery failures

SMS API Integration Guide: Send Messages to Marshall Islands with Twilio, Sinch & Bird

Send SMS to Marshall Islands Using Twilio API

Twilio provides robust SMS delivery to Marshall Islands (+692) numbers with reliable message routing. Get your account SID and auth token from your Twilio dashboard to start sending.

import * as Twilio from 'twilio';

// Initialize Twilio client with environment variables
const client = new Twilio(
  process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID,
  process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

async function sendSMSToMarshallIslands(
  to: string,
  message: string
): Promise<void&gt; {
  try {
    // Ensure proper formatting for Marshall Islands numbers (+692)
    const formattedNumber = to.startsWith('+692') ? to : `+692${to}`;

    const response = await client.messages.create({
      body: message,
      to: formattedNumber,
      from: process.env.TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER,
      // Optional statusCallback for delivery tracking
      statusCallback: 'https://your-webhook.com/status'
    });

    console.log(`Message sent successfully! SID: ${response.sid}`);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending message:', error);
  }
}

Send SMS to Marshall Islands Using Sinch API

Sinch offers competitive rates for Marshall Islands SMS delivery with straightforward API integration and carrier-grade reliability.

import { SinchClient } from '@sinch/sdk-core';

// Initialize Sinch client
const sinchClient = new SinchClient({
  projectId: process.env.SINCH_PROJECT_ID,
  keyId: process.env.SINCH_KEY_ID,
  keySecret: process.env.SINCH_KEY_SECRET
});

async function sendSinchSMS(
  recipientNumber: string,
  messageText: string
): Promise<void&gt; {
  try {
    const response = await sinchClient.sms.batches.send({
      sendSMSRequestBody: {
        to: [recipientNumber],
        from: process.env.SINCH_SENDER_ID,
        body: messageText,
        // Enable delivery reports
        deliveryReport: 'summary'
      }
    });

    console.log('Batch ID:', response.id);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Sinch SMS Error:', error);
  }
}

Send SMS to Marshall Islands Using Bird API

Bird (formerly MessageBird) provides reliable SMS delivery to Marshall Islands +692 numbers with comprehensive delivery tracking and real-time status updates.

import axios from 'axios';

class BirdSMSService {
  private readonly apiKey: string;
  private readonly baseUrl: string = 'https://api.bird.com/v1';

  constructor(apiKey: string) {
    this.apiKey = apiKey;
  }

  async sendSMS(
    phoneNumber: string,
    message: string
  ): Promise<void&gt; {
    try {
      const response = await axios.post(
        `${this.baseUrl}/messages`,
        {
          recipient: phoneNumber,
          content: message,
          channel: 'sms',
          country_code: 'MH'
        },
        {
          headers: {
            'Authorization': `Bearer ${this.apiKey}`,
            'Content-Type': 'application/json'
          }
        }
      );

      console.log('Message ID:', response.data.message_id);
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Bird API Error:', error);
    }
  }
}

API Rate Limits and Throughput

• Twilio: 250 messages per second
• Sinch: 100 messages per second
• Bird: 50 messages per second

Throughput Management:

• Implement exponential backoff for retry logic
• Use queue systems (Redis, RabbitMQ) for high-volume campaigns
• Batch messages when possible
• Monitor delivery rates and adjust sending patterns accordingly

Error Handling and Reporting

interface SMSError {
  code: string;
  message: string;
  timestamp: Date;
  recipient: string;
}

class SMSErrorHandler {
  static handleError(error: SMSError): void {
    // Log to monitoring system
    console.error(`SMS Error ${error.code}: ${error.message}`);

    // Implement retry logic for specific error codes
    if (this.isRetryableError(error.code)) {
      this.queueForRetry(error);
    }

    // Alert on critical errors
    if (this.isCriticalError(error.code)) {
      this.sendAlert(error);
    }
  }

  private static isRetryableError(code: string): boolean {
    const retryableCodes = ['timeout', 'network_error', 'rate_limit'];
    return retryableCodes.includes(code);
  }

  private static isCriticalError(code: string): boolean {
    const criticalCodes = ['auth_failed', 'invalid_api_key'];
    return criticalCodes.includes(code);
  }

  private static queueForRetry(error: SMSError): void {
    // Implementation for queueing retry attempts
    console.log(`Queuing retry for recipient: ${error.recipient}`);
  }

  private static sendAlert(error: SMSError): void {
    // Implementation for sending alerts to monitoring system
    console.error(`CRITICAL ERROR: ${error.message}`);
  }
}

Marshall Islands SMS FAQ: Common Questions About Sending to +692 Numbers

What is the country code for sending SMS to Marshall Islands?

Use country code +692 with the international E.164 format: +692 followed by the 7-digit local number. The mobile country code (MCC) is 551.

Does Marshall Islands support two-way SMS messaging?

No, the Marshall Islands does not support two-way SMS. This prevents interactive messaging campaigns, automated response systems, and conversational SMS applications.

What sender ID types are supported for Marshall Islands SMS messaging?

Marshall Islands supports international long codes with 1–2 business days provisioning time. International long codes preserve the original sender ID. Alphanumeric sender IDs, short codes, and domestic long codes are not supported.

Do I need NTA registration to send SMS in Marshall Islands?

Yes. Register with the National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and obtain proper licensing before sending commercial SMS. The NTA regulates all SMS communications and enforces consumer protection and data privacy compliance.

Can I send SMS to landline numbers in Marshall Islands?

No. Attempts to message landline numbers return a 400 error (code 21614) with no delivery and no charge.

What content is prohibited in Marshall Islands SMS?

Marshall Islands SMS prohibits gambling, adult content, unauthorized financial services, cryptocurrency promotions, and illegal products or services. Carriers block messages with spam keywords or excessive punctuation.

What is the best time to send SMS in Marshall Islands?

Send messages between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM MHT (UTC+12). Avoid messaging during major holidays. Reserve after-hours and weekend messaging for genuine emergencies only.

Which SMS API providers support sending messages to Marshall Islands?

Twilio, Sinch, and Bird support SMS delivery to Marshall Islands (+692) numbers:

• Twilio: 250 messages per second
• Sinch: 100 messages per second with carrier-grade infrastructure
• Bird: 50 messages per second with comprehensive delivery tracking

Recap and Next Steps

Key Takeaways

1. Compliance Requirements

   • Register with NTA
   • Maintain opt-in records
   • Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours

2. Technical Considerations

   • Use international number format (+692)
   • Implement proper error handling
   • Monitor delivery rates

3. Best Practices

   • Send during business hours (8 AM – 8 PM MHT)
   • Keep messages concise
   • Support both English and Marshallese

Next Steps

1. Review NTA regulations at www.nta.gov.mh
2. Consult with local legal counsel for compliance
3. Set up monitoring and reporting systems
4. Test message delivery across different carriers

Additional Resources

• Marshall Islands Telecommunications Act
• NTA SMS Guidelines
• International Telecommunication Union Standards

Contact Information:

• NTA Support: Contact via website
• Email: support@nta.gov.mh
• Technical Assistance: tech@nta.gov.mh