SMS Country Information Guide: Asia (A-K)

Afghanistan

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Afghanistan Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on AWCC network)

• Afghanistan Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on AWCC network)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: MTN network requires mandatory sender registration. Both local and international numeric formats are allowed

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Bangladesh

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed to a generic sender on some networks)

• Bangladesh Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed to a generic sender on some networks)

• Bangladesh Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed to a generic sender on some networks)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes (On certain networks)

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes:

• Sender registration is required for Grameen Phone, Robi and Teletalk networks

• Numeric senders are only fully supported on Teletalk network

• Government, Religion and Gambling content are not allowed

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Bhutan

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Bhutan Phone Number: Yes

• Bhutan Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Brunei Darussalam

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Brunei Phone Number: Yes

• Brunei Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Cambodia

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Cambodia Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on some networks)

• Cambodia Short Code: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on some networks)

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on some networks)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: Smart Axiata network requires sender registration and does not allow numeric senders

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

China

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Long Code (Phone Number)

• Promotional SMS: Long Code (Phone Number)

• Two-Way Conversations: WeChat (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed by operators)

• China Phone Number: No

• China Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed by operators)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No (URL whitelisting required)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes:

• This market has Marketing and Transactional traffic segmentation

• Two-way SMS is not available

• Sender registration and content whitelisting is mandatory

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Hong Kong

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Hong Kong Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a generic sender by all networks)

• Hong Kong Short Code: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a generic sender by all networks)

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a generic sender by all networks)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: Financial organizations: Letter of Authorization (LOA) required for financial content to ensure delivery

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

India

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes (Note: For international traffic, your sender ID will be changed)

• India Phone Number: Yes (Note: For international traffic, your sender ID will be changed)

• India Short Code: Yes (Note: For international traffic, your sender ID will be changed)

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Sunday 21:00-10:00)

Additional Notes:

• This market has Local and International traffic and Marketing and Transactional segmentation

• Sender registration is mandatory only for Local traffic

• Only 6-letter Alphanumeric senders can be registered

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Indonesia

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Indonesia Phone Number: No

• Indonesia Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes:

• This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

• Letter of Authorization (LOA) required for sender ID registration

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Japan

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: Line (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Japan Phone Number: Yes (Can only be used for local traffic)

• Japan Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No (URL whitelisting required)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Sunday 20:00-09:00)

Additional Notes:

• This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

• Sender registration is mandatory only for local traffic

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Kazakhstan

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Kazakhstan Phone Number: No

• Kazakhstan Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Sunday 21:00-09:00)

Additional Notes:

• Promotional traffic: Only allowed between 9AM and 9PM (GMT +6) on K'Cell network

• Sender registration is mandatory on all Kazakhstan networks

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Kyrgyz Republic

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Kyrgyz Republic Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on some networks)

• Kyrgyz Republic Short Code: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on some networks)

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID may be changed on some networks)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations