Dear Customer,
Greetings from SMSGATWEWAYHUB!!
We are writing this e-mail to keep you informed of the latest guidelines from TRAI.
Following the TRAI Directive released on May 12, 2023 (https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Direction_12052023.pdf), and the additional direction issued on August 13, 2024 (https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Direction_13082024.pdf), new rules regarding message templates have been enabled on the DLT panel.
Effective September 1, 2024, it is mandatory for each variable in your message templates to be pre-tagged according to its intended purpose. This means that variables in SMS content should only convey the specific information they are meant to, and no additional data should be included. To comply with the TRAI direction, we are introducing a feature to pre-tag the variable at the time of template creation. For existing templates, we are working on a solution for pre-tagging variables in templates and will share it with you ASAP.
We are also introducing CTA (Call To Action) whitelisting wherein only whitelisted URL / OTT Link / APK / Callback number will be allowed to be transmitted in messages as per TRAI guidelines and scrubbing will be done accordingly.
These measures will help streamline the Template registration process and ensure your message templates are fully compliant.
All major DLT Operator Done Changes in there Portal >Pingconnect /Smartping > CTA Whitelisting
VILPOWER/BSNL
Important Note:
Correct Tagging of Variables: Make sure all variables in your SMS templates are tagged correctly. This is crucial to prevent delivery failures. Below are the formats for variables to be selected while registering templates:
| Sr. No. | Variable Formats | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Date | Alphanumeric |
| 2 | Address, Pin code, City, State | Alphanumeric |
| 3 | Phone Number / Toll Free Number | Numeric |
| 4 | URL / APK / OTT link | Alphanumeric |
| 5 | NUMBER (OTP, Amount, Serial Number, Reference IDs etc.) | Alphanumeric |
| 6 | Name | Alphabetic |
Sample Template: Your FD {var1} for INR {var2} has been renewed for {var3} from {var4}. Call {var5} for assistance – ABC Bank
Variable Tagging:
| Variable | Tagging |
|---|---|
| Var1 | Numeric |
| Var2 | Alphanumeric |
| Var3 | Alphanumeric |
| Var4 | Alphanumeric |
| Var5 | Numeric |
Validation Against Template: Double-check that your variable tags comply with the validations specified on the template registration page. This helps in avoiding any issues with message delivery.
Whitelisting URLs/APK Files/OTT Links/Callback Numbers: Whitelist your URLs/APK files/OTT links/Call back Numbers that will be sent as part of the variable in the actual SMS using the CTA whitelisting feature. Below are the samples for CTA Whitelisting:
| CTA Name | CTA Type | CTA Sub-Type | CTA Input |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample 1 | URL | Static URL | https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/paris-2024-olympics-medals-table-france-china-india-usa-great-britain-australia/20240727.htm |
| Sample 2 | URL | Dynamic URL | https://www.rediff.com/sports/report? |
| Sample 3 | URL | APK URL | https://github.com/markushi/blob/master/example.apk |
| Sample 4 | URL | Whatsapp URL | https://wa.me/919494410631 |
| Sample 5 | Number | Mobile Number | 9874562309 |
| Sample 6 | Number | Landline | 2212345678 |
| Sample 7 | Number | Tollfree | 1800985673 |
| Sample 8 | Number | 140 series | 1409856378 |
Important Validation Checks:
| Type | Validation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Static URL | Should start with http, https or www | (?) Question mark not allowed |
| Dynamic URL | Should start with http, https or www | Mandatory to end in question mark (?) |
| APK URL | Should start with http, https or www | Mandatory to end with .apk |
| Whatsapp URL | Should start with http, https or www | Mobile number of INDIAN series to start with 91. (For 10 digits number) starts from 6-9 |
| Mobile Number | Can start with 91 OR without 91 | Mobile number (For 10 digits number) starts from 6-9 |
| Land Line Number - 10 digit | 10 digits | Can start with 0 OR without 0 |
| Toll Free Number | Starts from 1800 & 1860 and can be 8 to 11 digits | |
| 140 & 160 Series | 10 digits only |
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to our support team at support@smsgatewayhub.com
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued trust in our services.
With regards,
Team SMSGATEWAYHUB