Singapore SMS Features and Restrictions
Sender ID
Due to increase of spam/smishing SMS in Singapore, the local regulator Infocomm Media Development Authority ("IMDA") has established the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry (“SSIR”) in March 2022. Under this SSIR Regime, organizations can register their alphanumeric sender IDs directly with the regulator's registry on a voluntary basis to protect their Sender IDs. Also, any SMS aggregators who wish to terminate the registered Sender ID traffic to Singapore must be licensed by IMDA. Vonage is happy to announce that we are the licensed SMS aggregator (NEXMO Pte Ltd) with the regulator.
With effect from 31 January 2023, Sender ID registration with the regulator will become mandatory. Only SMS Sender IDs that have been registered with the regulator's registry will be allowed to Singapore. Non-registered Sender ID is converted to a generic Sender ID 'Likely-SCAM' for 6 months and will be blocked thereafter. You can find more information on SGNIC (IMDA's SMS registry provider) website: https://www.sgnic.sg/smsregistry/overview.
To avoid traffic failure, customers should register their Sender IDs directly with the regulator's registry as soon as possible. Please take note that the Sender ID is case sensitive. Once the Sender ID has been successfully registered, kindly reach out to your Vonage account manager or Vonage support regarding the whitelisting of the sender ID with Vonage
New regulatory process that is impacting all customers who wish to terminate Singapore traffic via Vonage
In order to comply with IMDA's requirement, Vonage has made several internal changes to help customers start transiting to and complete the registration. Following are the key notes and Q&A to go through before you send your new and existing Singapore traffic via Vonage.
- When should I start the registration with SGNIC (IMDA's SMS registry provider) for my Singapore traffic?
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- Local or Overseas customers with a valid UEN (Singapore Business registration number) who wish to reach out to the Singapore users via SMS should start the registration with SGNIC immediately. If you don’t have a valid UEN number, you can obtain one by registering with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (“ACRA”). For more information, please refer to SGNIC’s FAQ
- What types of Sender IDs will be accepted by SGNIC?
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- Each Sender ID must be within 3 to 11 characters (including spaces, underscores or hyphens), cannot contain Chinese or Cyrillic characters, and should not be generic in nature (e.g 'SMS' is generic and not allowed).
- Shortcode and Long virtual numbers (“LVNs”) can possibly be registered as well if the condistions set by SGNIC is met. This means customers who have subscribed Singapore Shortcode or LVN from Vonage must register the number before they can use the number to terminate SMS to Singapore.
- Customers can refer to SGNIC's Sender ID Rules of Registration for further information.
- Will I be charged for registration with SGNIC?
- Yes, this is charged services. You can refer to the SSIR User Agreement listed in SGNIC's website for the possible costs.
- What do I need to do in order to prepare for registration with SGNIC?
- Before the registration: Customers should directly register with SGNIC and provide all necessary documents as requested by them. Please reach out to your account manager or support if you need any help from Vonage.
- After the registration: once your registration is approved by SGNIC, kindly reach out with your registration details to your Vonage account manager or support regarding the whitelisting of the Sender ID with Vonage.
- What will happen to my existing and new traffic to Singapore with Sender ID that are not registered yet?
- Any NEW Sender IDs ( i.e Sender IDs that have never been used to terminate any Singapore traffic before 25 November 2022) will be blocked by Vonage starting from 25 November 2022.
- All previously used alphanumerical (Sender IDs that are bearing traffic before 25 Nov 2022) will still be allowed to terminate Singapore traffic. However, after 31 January 2023, all these Sender IDs will be converted to “Likely-SCAM” for 6 months. Thereafter, it will be blocked.
- What do I need to do while my registration is still under process by SGNIC?
- Before 31 January 2023: if your Sender ID is blocked by Vonage and you are registering your Sender ID with SGNIC but need to send traffic while waiting for SGNIC's approval, you can reach out to your Vonage account manager or Vonage support for temporary whitelisting with Vonage.
Content
Unicode
Unicode is supported to all networks.
Concatenated Messages
Concatenated messages are supported to all networks.
Other Features or Restrictions
Delivery Receipts
Handset delivery receipts are supported to all networks.
Do Not Call
Singapore has a Do-Not-Call (DNC) registry. Unsolicited messages are subject to penalties as described in the Spam Control Act 2007.
Virtual Numbers
SMS and Voice numbers are available upon request only.
Additional Information
For more information, see the following articles:
Comments
2 comments
Hi,
When you apply replacement of alphanumeric sender id to numeric sender ID automatically, do you charge from us or no fee for this?
There is no charge for automated modifying of senderID's by Nexmo.
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