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