For bulk SMS in Bangladesh, a branded sender ID is called "masking" SMS and a numeric sender is "non-masking". As of 2026, alphanumeric sender IDs must be registered for Grameenphone, Robi and Teletalk, and unregistered sender IDs to those networks are blocked; domestic A2P traffic runs through aggregators enlisted by the regulator, BTRC.
Rules last checked: October 2026.
Masking vs non-masking SMS
Bangladesh uses its own terms for sender ID types:
| Type | Sender shown | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Masking | Registered brand name (alphanumeric) | Transactional and service messages: OTPs, bank alerts, account notices |
| Non-masking | A numeric sender | Promotional campaigns, subject to sending hours and Do Not Call filtering |
Sending promotional content through a masking sender is a common reason for suspension. Keep the two flows apart, as explained in transactional vs promotional SMS.
Sender ID registration
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) enlists domestic A2P SMS aggregators, and local business SMS has to pass through one of them. BTRC also removes aggregators that do not renew or breach the guidelines: in 2026 it cancelled the certificates of 22 providers. If a local provider offers you a route, check that it is on the current enlisted list.
For international traffic, major CPaaS providers report that Grameenphone, Robi (Robi Axiata) and Teletalk require sender ID registration, and that from September 8, 2025 messages with unregistered sender IDs to these networks are blocked. Long codes are not supported for A2P. Registration typically needs:
- the sender ID (up to 11 characters, brand-related, not generic words like "Sales")
- company name, website and registration documents
- a sample message and the service type (OTP, alerts, notifications)
Lead times quoted by providers range from about 15 working days to around three weeks. Some providers apply extra rules, such as a "BD" suffix for local brands, so follow the format your route provider asks for. Banglalink handling differs between sources, so ask your provider how unregistered or dynamic senders are treated there. Our guide on sender ID registration covers the general steps.
Content, NDNC and sending hours
- Get opt-in consent before sending, and support opt-out requests.
- Provider guides describe a National Do Not Call (NDNC) registry under BTRC. Promotional non-masking traffic is filtered against it; transactional masking traffic generally is not.
- Promotional SMS is generally expected between 9 AM and 9 PM Bangladesh time. Many senders also avoid Friday prayer times and prayer times during Ramadan.
- Two-way SMS is not supported on standard A2P channels, so recipients cannot reply STOP to a masking sender. Offer opt-out by another channel.
Bengali text and encoding
Mass consumer campaigns are generally expected in Bengali. Bengali script needs Unicode (UCS-2), which reduces a single SMS from 160 to 70 characters, and long messages are split into segments of 67 characters. Budget for more segments and read GSM-7 vs Unicode encoding and how concatenated SMS works.
Mobile networks and OTP traffic
The four mobile operators are Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and the state-owned Teletalk. Grameenphone is the largest. For OTP:
- Use a registered masking sender ID on every network; an unregistered ID is blocked on three of the four.
- Keep the code short and in English so it fits one GSM-7 segment, and put the brand name in the text.
- Be careful with routes that are much cheaper than the market: grey routes are often behind fake delivery reports.
- Follow the OTP SMS best practices on expiry, rate limits and retries.
See our Bangladesh SMS destination page and the overview of our A2P SMS routes.
Getting a route
Sender ID rules in Bangladesh vary by operator and are enforced more strictly each year, so confirm registration status with the route provider before sending. VoIPMatcher sources the route from its carriers and manages it; buyers and sellers never see each other. Share your sender ID, traffic type and volumes and request a Bangladesh SMS route.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an SMS aggregator license in Bangladesh?
Local business SMS has to pass through an A2P aggregator enlisted by BTRC, the regulator, so a company that wants to aggregate domestic traffic itself needs that enlistment. Senders do not: they use an enlisted aggregator or an international route provider. BTRC also cancels aggregators that do not renew or that breach the rules, so check the current list.
Can I send SMS in Bangladesh without sender ID registration?
Not to most networks. As of 2026, Grameenphone, Robi and Teletalk require registered sender IDs, and since September 8, 2025 messages with unregistered sender IDs to these networks are blocked. Banglalink handling differs between sources. Register a brand-related sender ID through your route provider before you start sending.
How long does sender ID registration take in Bangladesh?
Providers quote from about 15 working days to around three weeks. You need the sender ID of up to 11 characters, company name, website and registration documents, a sample message and the service type. Some providers add rules such as a BD suffix for local brands, so follow the format your provider asks for.
Can recipients reply to bulk SMS in Bangladesh?
Not on standard A2P channels: two-way SMS is not supported, so recipients cannot reply STOP to a masking sender ID. Collect opt-in consent before sending and offer opt-out through another channel, such as a website link or support line. Promotional non-masking traffic is also filtered against the NDNC registry.
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