Does Egypt have any restrictions on international SMS messaging?

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Yes, Egypt imposes specific regulations on international SMS messaging, which are primarily enforced by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). These regulations aim to control the flow of information and ensure compliance with national laws and policies.
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Sender ID Registration

International SMS messages must use registered alphanumeric sender IDs. While pre-registration was previously required for all sender IDs, recent updates have made egypt phone number list this optional for international traffic. However, for messages directed to Etisalat Egypt numbers, unregistered sender IDs are replaced with the generic tag 'VERIFY' .
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Content Restrictions

Egypt enforces strict content regulations for SMS messaging. The following content types are prohibited:
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Political messages

Religious content

Adult material

Alcohol and tobacco promotions

Gambling-related messages

Pharmaceutical or drug-related content

Cryptocurrency and financial speculation
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Messages containing such content are subject to filtering and may be blocked by mobile operators .
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Messaging Curfews

Marketing SMS campaigns are subject to time restrictions:
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Prohibited between 21:00 and 09:00 local time (GMT+2)

Not allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, or public holidays
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Transactional messages may be sent outside these hours if urgent .
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Opt-In and Opt-Out Requirements

Explicit consent is mandatory before sending marketing messages. Campaigns must support opt-out mechanisms, such as 'STOP' or 'HELP' commands, in both Arabic and English .
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Sender ID Practices

Using generic sender IDs like 'INFO', 'SMS', or 'NOTICE' is prohibited. It's advisable to use a local brand or service name to enhance deliverability, especially with networks like Etisalat Egypt, which may reject generic messages .
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Compliance and Enforcement

The NTRA monitors SMS traffic to ensure compliance with regulations. Non-compliance can result in message filtering, blocking, or other enforcement actions. It's essential for businesses to stay informed about current regulations and adapt their messaging strategies accordingly.
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Conclusion

Understanding and adhering to Egypt's SMS regulations is crucial for businesses engaging in international messaging. By registering sender IDs, avoiding prohibited content, respecting messaging curfews, and implementing proper opt-in and opt-out procedures, companies can ensure their messages are delivered successfully and in compliance with Egyptian laws.