Twilio does not allow sending SMS to Indian numbers

RajeshKumarin

Twilio does not allow sending SMS to Indian numbers without complying with India's DLT

cotindia

No, Twilio does not allow sending SMS to Indian numbers without complying with India's DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) regulations. This is because the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) mandates strict compliance to prevent spam and ensure transparency in messaging. All SMS sent to Indian numbers must pass through DLT registration, and unauthorized messages will be blocked by telecom providers.

Why DLT Registration is Mandatory in India

TRAI enforces DLT compliance to regulate promotional and transactional SMS.
Indian telecom providers reject non-compliant messages that do not originate from a registered Sender ID or pre-approved templates.

Can You Send SMS to Indian Numbers Without Registration?

Transactional SMS: No. Transactional SMS (e.g., OTPs, alerts) requires DLT registration and an alphanumeric Sender ID.
Promotional SMS: No. Promotional SMS requires registration and is only sent to opted-in recipients.

Alternatives to Consider

If you do not want to register on a DLT platform, here are some potential options:

1. Use an International Number

Twilio allows sending SMS from international numbers to Indian users.
However, messages sent this way are treated as international messages and may incur higher costs.
These messages are often flagged as spam or rejected by Indian telecom providers if they do not comply with DLT regulations.

2. Use WhatsApp Messaging

WhatsApp Business API via Twilio does not require DLT registration and can be used to send messages to Indian numbers.
Messages must adhere to WhatsApp's template and use-case approval.

3. Email as an Alternative

If SMS is not possible, consider using email for communication with your users.

Risks of Bypassing DLT Registration

Message Delivery Failures:
- Telecom operators in India will likely block non-compliant messages.
Penalties:
- Sending unauthorized messages may lead to legal or financial penalties as per TRAI regulations.

Conclusion

To send SMS to Indian numbers via Twilio, DLT registration is mandatory. If you prefer not to register, explore alternative communication channels such as WhatsApp or email. However, compliance with local telecom regulations is strongly recommended to ensure message delivery and avoid legal risks.

cotindia

For Sending SMS and Whatsapp from India number to Indian Consumer, Can i use my personal number for registering at Register your business on one of the approved DLT platforms, such as:
DLT: DLT Registration

RajeshKumarin

In India, to send SMS or WhatsApp messages to consumers for business purposes, including promotional, transactional, or service-related messages, you are required to comply with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regulations under the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) framework. Here’s how your personal number fits into this process:

Using a Personal Number for DLT Registration

Business Registration: If you are sending messages as part of a business or organization, you will need to register your business on a DLT platform. It is mandatory to register the entity, headers (sender IDs), and templates for message content.
Personal Number Use:
- Not Recommended for Bulk Messaging: Personal numbers are generally not allowed for commercial bulk messaging or registration as a sender ID for DLT purposes. This ensures compliance with anti-spam regulations and helps maintain accountability for business communications.
- Use an Official or Virtual Number: Businesses are expected to use dedicated business numbers or virtual numbers approved for sending commercial messages.
Exceptions:
- If you are a sole proprietor and intend to use your personal number for minimal, direct communication (e.g., manual messaging), you might still need to register on the DLT platform if you are reaching multiple customers.

Steps for DLT Registration

Choose a DLT Platform: Select one of the TRAI-approved DLT platforms like:
- Jio DLT
- Airtel DLT
- Vodafone Idea DLT
- BSNL DLT
Register Your Business:
- Provide your business PAN, GST, and other required details.
- Use an official email and phone number (preferably not your personal number) for registration.
Sender ID (Header) Registration:
- Apply for an alphanumeric Sender ID representing your brand.
- Avoid using a personal number as a Sender ID.
Template Registration:
- Submit pre-approved message templates for the types of communication (e.g., promotional, transactional).

Sending WhatsApp Messages

For WhatsApp business messaging:

Use a WhatsApp Business Account:
- Register a dedicated number with the WhatsApp Business API via an authorized BSP (Business Solution Provider).
- Personal numbers cannot be used for API integration.
Template Approval:
- Get message templates approved by WhatsApp for bulk or automated communication.

Key Considerations

Using a personal number directly for bulk SMS or WhatsApp messages without DLT registration or WhatsApp API approval may result in regulatory penalties.
For compliance, use an official business or dedicated number.

By adhering to these steps, you ensure that your communication practices are aligned with TRAI regulations and avoid the risk of penalties or message delivery failures.