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Sender ID Policies for SMSGatewayCenter

admin
Updated on 04/03/2025

5 min read

A Sender ID (also known as a header) is an alphanumeric name or number that appears on a recipient’s mobile phone as the sender of an SMS message. At SMSGatewayCenter, adhering to Sender ID policies is crucial for ensuring successful bulk SMS message delivery, regulatory compliance, and maintaining trust with recipients. This guide outlines the Sender ID policies for using our platform, with a focus on India (TRAI and DLT requirements) and general best practices for other regions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Sender IDs on SMSGatewayCenter #

1. Understand Sender ID Requirements #

  • What to Do: Familiarize yourself with the Sender ID requirements specific to your country or region. For India, comply with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) guidelines and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) regulations, which mandate registration and approval of Sender IDs.
  • Sender IDs must be alphanumeric (e.g., “SMSGAT”, “INFO123”) or numeric (e.g., “123456”).
  • They must be registered and approved by DLT operators before use in campaigns.
  • What Not to Do: Don’t use unregistered or unapproved Sender IDs, as this can lead to message rejections, fines, or account restrictions. Avoid using generic or misleading Sender IDs (e.g., “BANK”, “FREE”) without proper authorization.

2. Register Your Sender ID #

  • What to Do: Register your desired Sender ID through the SMSGatewayCenter portal or by contacting our team at contact @ smsgatewaycenter.com. For India, follow these steps:
  1. Log in to your SMSGatewayCenter account and navigate to the Sender ID or Settings section.
  2. Submit a request for your Sender ID, providing details such as the intended use (e.g., transactional, promotional), your Principal Entity ID, and supporting documentation (if required by DLT operators).
  3. Wait for approval from our team and the DLT operators (typically 1–3 business days).
  • Ensure the Sender ID reflects your brand or purpose (e.g., “SMSGAT” for SMSGatewayCenter, “COMPANY123” for your business).
  • What Not to Do: Don’t submit incomplete or inaccurate information during registration, as this can delay approval. Avoid requesting Sender IDs that violate TRAI/DLT guidelines (e.g., generic names, offensive terms).

3. Select and Set a Default Sender ID #

  • What to Do: Once approved, add your Sender ID to your SMSGatewayCenter account via the Sender ID section. You can set a default Sender ID, which will automatically load in the Compose Message or Send Quick SMS interfaces for convenience. To set a default:
  1. Go to the Sender ID menu in your account.
  2. Select the approved Sender ID you want as your default.
  3. Save the setting to apply it to future campaigns.
  • What Not to Do: Don’t set a default Sender ID that isn’t approved or doesn’t match your campaign type (e.g., using a transactional Sender ID for promotional messages). Avoid changing the default frequently without testing, as this can confuse recipients or disrupt campaigns.

4. Use Sender IDs in Campaigns #

  • What to Do: When sending SMS campaigns, select the appropriate Sender ID from the dropdown in the Send Quick SMS or API interface. Ensure the Sender ID aligns with the message type:
  • Transactional Messages: Use Sender IDs approved for critical notifications (e.g., OTPs, alerts) without user consent.
  • Promotional Messages: Use Sender IDs approved for marketing campaigns, ensuring you have explicit user consent as per DLT/TRAI rules.
  • Monitor delivery reports to ensure the Sender ID is recognized by operators and recipients.
  • What Not to Do: Don’t use a Sender ID for a purpose other than its approved use (e.g., promotional messages with a transactional Sender ID), as this can violate regulations and lead to rejections. Avoid reusing Sender IDs across unrelated brands or campaigns without approval.

5. Adhere to Regional and Operator Policies #

  • What to Do: Follow the Sender ID policies guided by SMSGatewayCenter and local regulations for your target country. For India:
  • Sender IDs must be 6 characters long (alphanumeric or numeric).
  • Promotional Sender IDs require user consent and DLT template approval.
  • Transactional Sender IDs must be used only for critical, non-promotional messages.
  • Check with our team for updates on TRAI/DLT policies or operator-specific requirements.
  • What Not to Do: Don’t ignore regional guidelines or operator restrictions, as non-compliance can result in blocked messages or account penalties. Avoid using Sender IDs that mimic official entities (e.g., “GOVT”, “BANK”) without authorization.

Best Practices and Tips #

  • Regular Updates: Periodically review and renew your Sender ID registrations to stay compliant with evolving regulations (e.g., TRAI updates in India).
  • Secure Data: Use HTTPS for all API calls and protect Sender ID details to prevent unauthorized access or spoofing.
  • Test Campaigns: Before sending bulk messages, test with a small batch using your approved Sender ID to verify delivery and compliance.
  • Monitor Usage: Use SMSGatewayCenter‘s Delivery Reports and Activity Logs to track Sender ID performance and detect issues. Refer to our Delivery Reports Guide for more information.
  • Contact Support: For assistance with Sender ID registration, approval, or troubleshooting, reach out to our team at contact @ smsgatewaycenter.com.

Troubleshooting #

  • Sender ID Rejection: If your Sender ID is rejected, verify its format, compliance with DLT/TRAI rules, and registration status. Check our Delivery Error Codes Reference for specific error codes.
  • Message Delivery Failures: If messages fail due to Sender ID issues, ensure the ID is approved and matches the campaign type. Contact our team for guidance.
  • Policy Violations: Avoid using unapproved or mismatched Sender IDs to prevent account restrictions. Review our Configure SMS Settings Guide for campaign setup tips.

For further assistance, refer to our API Documentation or contact our team at contact @ smsgatewaycenter.com.

    Updated on 04/03/2025