Frequently Asked Questions
Twilio's REST API allows straightforward SMS delivery to Samoa. Initialize the Twilio client with your credentials, then use the client.messages.create function, ensuring the recipient number starts with +685. Include your approved sender ID and optionally set up a status callback URL for delivery tracking. Refer to the code example in the Twilio section for details on proper formatting and additional parameters.
The Mobile Country Code (MCC) for Samoa is 549. This code is used in mobile networks for routing international calls and SMS messages. It's essential for identifying the country of origin for mobile devices.
According to current network capabilities, two-way SMS is not supported in Samoa. Businesses should adapt their strategies accordingly, focusing on one-way communications and providing alternative feedback channels if needed.
The recommended messaging window in Samoa is between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM WST (UTC+13). While emergency messages can be sent outside these hours, avoid sending during Sunday church hours (typically 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) out of cultural consideration.
No, sending SMS to landline numbers in Samoa is not possible. Attempts to do so will result in failed delivery with a 400 response and error code 21614. No record of the message will appear in logs, and you won't be charged.
Key compliance requirements for SMS in Samoa include obtaining explicit opt-in consent before sending marketing messages, honoring STOP requests, and respecting local time zones. Detailed records of consent must be maintained, and clear terms and conditions provided.
Process opt-out requests within 24 hours, send a confirmation message, and update your suppression list accordingly. While Samoa doesn't have a Do Not Call registry, maintain your internal list for best practices.
Alphanumeric sender IDs are supported without pre-registration and are generally preserved. International long codes are available with some restrictions and are recommended for transactional messages. Short codes are not currently supported in Samoa.
Due to the lack of concatenated SMS support, messages should be kept within the standard 160-character limit for GSM-7 encoding. Exceeding this limit could lead to message truncation or delivery failures.
To avoid content filtering, use approved URL shorteners, avoid excessive punctuation and all-caps, maintain consistent sending patterns, and clearly identify your business within the message content.
Restricted content includes gambling and betting services, adult content, unauthorized financial services, political messaging without authorization, and cryptocurrency promotions.
Best practices include keeping messages concise (under 160 characters), including clear call-to-actions, personalizing messages, and maintaining consistent branding. Respect local time zones and cultural events when scheduling messages.
Several APIs offer SMS capabilities for Samoa, including Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo. Each provider offers slightly different features and pricing, so it's recommended to review their documentation for specific details.
Samoa SMS Best Practices, Compliance, and Features
Samoa SMS Market Overview: Mobile Operators and Network Coverage
Market conditions: Samoa operates a mobile duopoly with two carriers serving the +685 country code: Vodafone Samoa (formerly Bluesky Samoa) covers 98.5% of populated areas as the market leader, while Digicel Samoa achieved 100% population coverage with 4G/LTE in 2020. As of 2024, no 5G network is available – operators focus on 4G/LTE service quality. While OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger gain popularity in urban areas, SMS remains reliable due to universal reach and network stability. Android devices dominate the market, with iOS present among urban professionals and tourists.
Mobile number format: Samoan mobile numbers consist of 7 digits using prefixes 7[1-35-7] and 8[3-7], formatted internationally as +685 XX XXXXX. Always include the +685 country code when sending SMS to Samoa from international platforms.
SMS Features and Technical Capabilities in Samoa
Understand Samoa's SMS functionality and limitations before planning your messaging strategy. The network supports basic SMS with restrictions on advanced features.
Two-Way SMS Support
Two-way SMS is not supported in Samoa. Design your messaging strategies around one-way communications and provide alternative channels (email, web forms, or WhatsApp) for customer responses. For interactive messaging solutions, consider implementing WhatsApp Business API integration alongside your SMS campaigns.
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Concatenated messaging is not supported in Samoa. Keep messages within standard SMS length limits:
Messages exceeding these limits will be truncated or fail to deliver. Use GSM-7 encoding to maximize character count and ensure broad compatibility across both Vodafone Samoa and Digicel Samoa networks.
MMS Support
MMS messages are automatically converted to SMS with an embedded URL link. Recipients receive a text message containing a link to view the content online. For optimal delivery and user experience, host images or media on a mobile-friendly webpage and share the link within your SMS message.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is not available in Samoa as of 2025. Mobile numbers remain tied to their original carrier, requiring customers to change numbers when switching between Vodafone Samoa and Digicel Samoa. The Office of the Regulator has indicated intentions to introduce MNP to promote competition, though no specific implementation timeline has been announced.
To identify which carrier owns a number, use the prefix patterns:
Sending SMS to Landlines
You cannot send SMS to landline numbers in Samoa. Attempts will result in failed delivery with error code 21614. The message will not appear in logs, and your account will not be charged.
Landline numbers in Samoa typically use prefixes 2[0-9], 3[0-9], 4[0-9], and 5[0-9]. Filter these before sending SMS.
SMS Compliance and Regulatory Requirements in Samoa
The Office of the Regulator (OOTR), established in 2006 under the Telecommunications Act 2005 (amended 2014), regulates SMS communications in Samoa. The Office oversees telecommunications services and maintains the National Numbering Plan. The Act prohibits providing telecommunications services without a licence from the Regulator.
Consent and Opt-In Requirements
Explicit consent requirements for SMS marketing:
Example opt-in message:
Documentation best practices:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
While Samoa doesn't require HELP/STOP commands, implement these as best practice:
Example STOP response:
Example HELP response:
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
Samoa does not maintain an official Do Not Call registry. However, you should:
Time Zone Sensitivity
Samoa observes UTC+13 (West Samoa Time) year-round. Daylight saving time was discontinued in April 2021.
Recommended messaging windows:
UTC conversion examples:
Cultural holidays to avoid:
SMS Sender ID Options: Alphanumeric IDs, Long Codes, and Short Codes
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator network capability: Supported for dynamic usage Registration requirements: No pre-registration required Sender ID preservation: Sender IDs are generally preserved as sent Character limits: 3–11 characters, alphanumeric (no special characters except spaces) Allowed characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, spaces
Best practices:
Long Codes
Domestic vs. International:
Sender ID preservation: Original sender IDs are typically maintained Provisioning time: 1–2 business days for international long codes Use cases: Recommended for transactional messages and customer support
Recommended countries for international long codes:
Short Codes
Support: Short codes are not currently supported in Samoa Provisioning time: Not applicable Use cases: Not available for marketing or authentication purposes
Restricted Content and SMS Filtering Rules in Samoa
Restricted industries and content:
Compliant vs. non-compliant examples:
✅ Compliant: "Your ABC Bank account balance is $500. Visit abc.com/account for details." ❌ Non-compliant: "Invest in crypto now! Guaranteed 300% returns. Click here: [suspicious link]"
✅ Compliant: "Your appointment with Dr. Smith is tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply CONFIRM or call us." ❌ Non-compliant: "Hot singles near you! Adult content available 24/7. [link]"
Content Filtering
Known carrier filtering rules:
Commonly blocked keywords (avoid or use carefully):
Best practices to avoid filtering:
Best Practices for SMS Messaging Campaigns in Samoa
Messaging Strategy
Example message templates:
Transactional:
Appointment reminder:
Marketing:
Sending Frequency and Timing
Frequency guidelines by message type:
Localization
Samoan language considerations:
Date and time formats:
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
Test messages across both carriers before launching campaigns:
Pre-launch testing checklist:
Key metrics to track:
Monitor by carrier:
SMS API Integration: Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo
Twilio
Twilio provides SMS capabilities for Samoa using their REST API:
Sinch
Sinch offers robust SMS capabilities for Samoa:
MessageBird
MessageBird provides reliable SMS delivery to Samoa:
Plivo
Plivo's API offers SMS capabilities for Samoan numbers:
API Provider Comparison
SMS Pricing for Samoa (+685): Costs and Optimization
Understanding SMS pricing helps with budget planning and cost optimization for messaging campaigns to Samoa.
Twilio SMS Pricing (October 2025):
Character Limits and Segmentation:
Cost Optimization Tips:
Cost calculator formula:
Pricing sources: Twilio SMS Pricing – Samoa, verified October 2025
API Rate Limits and Throughput
When sending SMS to Samoa, consider these limitations:
Rate limits by provider:
Throughput management strategies:
Queue implementation example (using Redis):
Error Handling and Reporting
Common error codes for Samoa:
Error handling implementation:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which mobile operators serve Samoa and what is their coverage?
Samoa has two mobile operators as of 2025: Vodafone Samoa (formerly Bluesky Samoa) covers 98.5% of populated areas and is the market leader, while Digicel Samoa achieved 100% population coverage with 4G/LTE in 2020. Both operators provide 4G/LTE service, but no 5G network is available in Samoa as of 2024.
What is the correct phone number format for sending SMS to Samoa?
Samoan mobile numbers consist of 7 digits with prefixes 7[1-35-7] and 8[3-7]. The international format is +685 XX XXXXX (e.g., +685 71 12345). Always include the country code +685 when sending SMS to Samoa from international API providers.
Does Samoa support two-way SMS messaging and concatenated messages?
No. Two-way SMS is not supported in Samoa – design one-way communication strategies and provide alternative response channels. Concatenated messages (long SMS) are also not supported. Keep messages within standard SMS length limits (160 characters for GSM-7 encoding, 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding).
Is mobile number portability (MNP) available in Samoa?
Mobile Number Portability is not available in Samoa as of 2025. Mobile numbers remain tied to their original carrier (Vodafone Samoa or Digicel Samoa). The Office of the Regulator has indicated future plans to introduce MNP, but no implementation timeline has been announced.
What timezone should I use when scheduling SMS campaigns to Samoa?
Samoa observes UTC+13 (West Samoa Time) year-round without daylight saving time, which was discontinued in April 2021. Schedule messages between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM WST, and avoid Sunday church hours (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) as Samoa observes Sunday as a day of rest with strong religious observance.
How much does it cost to send SMS messages to Samoa?
As of October 2025, Twilio charges $0.2369 per segment for both outbound and inbound SMS to/from Samoa (+685). Messages using GSM-7 encoding allow 160 characters per segment, while UCS-2 encoding (for Unicode/emoji) reduces this to 70 characters per segment. Failed messages incur a $0.001 fee.
Do I need to register alphanumeric sender IDs for Samoa?
No pre-registration is required for alphanumeric sender IDs in Samoa. Sender IDs are generally preserved as sent and supported for dynamic usage, making them a cost-effective option compared to purchasing dedicated phone numbers for SMS campaigns.
What regulatory body oversees SMS communications in Samoa?
The Office of the Regulator (OOTR), established in 2006, oversees telecommunications in Samoa under the Telecommunications Act 2005 (amended 2014). The OOTR maintains the National Numbering Plan and requires explicit consent for marketing messages, though Samoa does not have specific STOP/HELP command regulations or a Do Not Call registry.
Can I send SMS messages to landline numbers in Samoa?
No. You cannot send SMS to landline numbers in Samoa. Attempts will result in failed delivery with error code 21614. The message will not appear in logs, and your account will not be charged. Filter landline numbers (prefixes 2-5) before sending.
What are the restricted content types and industries for SMS in Samoa?
Restricted content includes gambling and betting services, adult content, unauthorized financial services (services without proper licensing), political messaging without authorization, and cryptocurrency promotions. Messages containing certain keywords, URLs from unknown domains, or multiple identical messages sent rapidly may be filtered by carrier spam systems.
What should I do if my messages are being filtered or blocked?
If your messages are being filtered:
How do I handle message delivery failures in Samoa?
Implement comprehensive error handling:
Recap and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
Compliance priorities:
Technical considerations:
Cost optimization:
Implementation Checklist
Phase 1: Setup (Week 1)
Phase 2: Compliance (Week 2)
Phase 3: Testing (Week 3)
Phase 4: Launch (Week 4)
Phase 5: Monitoring (Ongoing)
Additional Information
Official resources:
Industry guidelines:
API provider documentation:
Support channels: