SureSMS

SMS rules for Zambia

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Sender ID restrictions

Alphanumeric sender ID Can be overwritten
Foreign numeric sender ID Can be overwritten
Local numeric sender ID Supported
Generic sender ID prohibited Yes, you can
Sender ID can be changed Yes, you can
Virtual number required Yes, you can
Marketing requires opt-in Yes, you can
P2P prohibited Yes, you can
Handset DLR unavailable No, you can't.

Content restrictions

Category Status Notes
Gambling / Games PROHIBITED Detected from provider text: gambling, betting, casino
Political content PROHIBITED Detected from provider text: political
Religious content PROHIBITED Detected from provider text: religious
Marketing / Advertising PROHIBITED Detected from provider text: marketing, promotion

Notes

Zambia (ZM) has specific guidelines for sending SMS messages. Alphanumeric sender IDs are supported, but there are special requirements for the MTN network (64502) where pre-registration is mandatory. Sender IDs are case sensitive and must include the brand name. Numeric sender IDs are allowed on all networks except MTN (64502) where the sender ID will be changed to ensure delivery. Generic sender IDs such as INFO, SMS, NOTICE etc. are not allowed. To start the Sender ID registration process, please contact your account manager or support.

When it comes to marketing traffic, it is necessary to obtain consent from mobile users before sending messages. P2P traffic is prohibited and no content related to politics, religion, unsolicited promotion or gambling may be sent. There are no additional content restrictions beyond those stated in our Acceptable Use Policy.

We do our best to ensure that all information on specific terms is up-to-date and accurate, but we cannot be held responsible for any changes in the rules. For further information or assistance, please contact our support team.

Last updated: April 20, 2026