Frequently Asked Questions
Use an SMS API like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo. These providers offer reliable delivery and various features for sending messages to Mauritania. Be sure to format numbers correctly (+222) and comply with local regulations.
Mauritania's mobile market has three main operators (Mauritel, Mattel, Chinguitel) and relies heavily on SMS. While OTT apps are growing, SMS remains vital due to its reach and reliability, especially on the dominant Android platform.
According to current network capabilities, Mauritania does not support two-way SMS. Businesses should focus on one-way communication strategies for their messaging campaigns.
The best time to send SMS messages is between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM local time (GMT/UTC+0), avoiding prayer times and religious holidays like Ramadan. Weekends (Friday-Saturday) should also be treated with consideration for non-essential messages.
No, short codes are not currently supported in Mauritania. Alphanumeric sender IDs and international long codes are the available options for sending SMS.
Concatenated SMS is supported, with standard length limits of 160 characters for GSM-7 and 70 for Unicode. Availability may vary by sender ID type. Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings are supported.
Explicit consent (written or electronic) is required before sending marketing messages. Keep records of consent, clearly state message frequency and type, and be transparent about data usage.
Campaigns must support opt-out keywords (STOP, ARRET, CANCEL). Responses to STOP commands must be processed within 24 hours. Maintain documentation of opt-outs for at least 12 months.
Restricted content includes gambling, adult material, unauthorized financial services, certain political messages, and cryptocurrency-related content. Messages with specific keywords and suspicious URLs may be filtered.
Use Arabic (official) and French (widely used), ideally providing bilingual messages. Use appropriate date formats (DD/MM/YYYY) and be mindful of cultural sensitivities.
Alphanumeric sender IDs are supported and do not require pre-registration. They can be used dynamically, and sender IDs are preserved as specified.
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with a URL link. This ensures compatibility across all networks while still allowing users to access the rich media content through a clickable link.
Sending SMS to landline numbers in Mauritania is not supported. Attempts will result in delivery failure with a 400 error (code 21614) and no charges will be incurred.
The default rate limit is one message per second per destination. Batch sending allows up to 500 messages per request. Daily quotas depend on your account and usage history.
The MCC for Mauritania is 609, and the dialing code is +222. Ensure you include the +222 prefix when sending international messages.
Loading...
Mauritania SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Mauritania SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Mauritania's mobile market is characterized by three major operators: Mauritel, Mattel, and Chinguitel. SMS remains a crucial communication channel, particularly for business notifications and authentication. While OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp are gaining popularity in urban areas, SMS maintains high reliability and reach across the country's diverse geography. Android devices dominate the mobile ecosystem due to their affordability and accessibility.
Key SMS Features and Capabilities in Mauritania
Mauritania supports basic SMS functionality with some limitations on advanced features, focusing primarily on one-way messaging capabilities.
Two-way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Mauritania according to current network capabilities. Businesses should design their messaging strategies around one-way communication flows.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Support: Yes, concatenated messages are supported, though availability may vary by sender ID type.
Message length rules: Standard SMS length limits apply - 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding, 70 characters for Unicode.
Encoding considerations: Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 (Unicode) encodings are supported, with message splitting occurring at different thresholds for each encoding type.
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. This ensures compatibility across all networks while still allowing rich media content to be shared via clickable links.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Number portability is not available in Mauritania. This means mobile numbers remain tied to their original network operators, simplifying message routing but limiting consumer flexibility.
Sending SMS to Landlines
Sending SMS to landline numbers is not supported in Mauritania. Attempts to send messages to landline numbers will result in delivery failure with a 400 response error (code 21614), and no charges will be incurred.
Compliance and Regulatory Guidelines for SMS in Mauritania
Mauritania's telecommunications sector is regulated by the Autorit?? de R??gulation (ARE), which oversees SMS communications and marketing activities. While specific SMS marketing regulations are still evolving, businesses must adhere to general telecommunications laws and international best practices.
Consent and Opt-In
Explicit Consent Requirements:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
While Mauritania does not maintain an official Do Not Call registry, businesses should:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Mauritania follows GMT/UTC+0. Best practices include:
Phone Numbers Options and SMS Sender Types for in Mauritania
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Supported
Registration requirements: Pre-registration not required, dynamic usage allowed
Sender ID preservation: Yes, sender IDs are preserved as specified
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: Yes, original sender ID is preserved for international numbers
Provisioning time: Immediate to 24 hours
Use cases: Ideal for transactional messages and two-factor authentication
Short Codes
Support: Not currently supported in Mauritania
Provisioning time: N/A
Use cases: N/A
Restricted SMS Content, Industries, and Use Cases
Restricted Industries and Content:
Content Filtering
Known Carrier Filtering Rules:
Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Mauritania
Messaging Strategy
Sending Frequency and Timing
Localization
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
SMS API integrations for Mauritania
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust SMS API for sending messages to Mauritania. Here's how to implement it:
Sinch
Sinch offers comprehensive SMS capabilities for Mauritania with straightforward integration:
MessageBird
MessageBird provides reliable SMS delivery to Mauritania:
Plivo
Plivo's API offers reliable SMS delivery to Mauritania with detailed delivery tracking:
API Rate Limits and Throughput
Strategies for Large-Scale Sending:
Error Handling and Reporting
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
Compliance Priorities:
Technical Best Practices:
Localization Requirements:
Next Steps
Additional Resources