Kazakhstan SMS Guide: Compliance, Regulations, and API Integration (2024)

Send SMS messages in Kazakhstan by complying with telecommunications regulations, registering sender IDs, and respecting time-based sending restrictions. This guide covers market conditions, regulatory requirements, API integration, and best practices for successful SMS campaigns in 2024.

Kazakhstan SMS Market Overview

Market Conditions: Kazakhstan operates a robust mobile telecommunications market with high SMS usage rates. The country's three major mobile operators are Kcell (41% market share), Beeline (second-largest), and Tele2. Although OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram continue gaining popularity, SMS remains the primary channel for business messaging and authentication services. Most users prefer Android devices, though iOS adoption grows in urban areas.

Network Coverage: Kcell provides 2G coverage nationwide, 3G to 70% of subscribers, and 4G/LTE/5G in major cities including Almaty, Aktau, Atyrau, and Shymkent. Beeline offers 4G/LTE to approximately 50% of users. Tele2 operates around 4,000 base stations covering 85% of the population.

What SMS Features Are Supported in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan supports most standard SMS features with restrictions on timing and sender ID usage. Regulators maintain strong oversight for business messaging.

Is Two-Way SMS Supported in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan does not support two-way SMS for A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging. For interactive messaging, use WhatsApp Business API or other OTT messaging platforms instead.

Long SMS Messages and Concatenation

Kazakhstan supports concatenated messages, though availability varies by sender ID type.

Message length: Standard 160 characters per segment using GSM-7 encoding.

Encoding: Use GSM-7 for standard Latin characters or UCS-2 for Cyrillic and special characters. UCS-2 messages support 70 characters per segment.

Can You Send MMS in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan does not support MMS messages directly. Providers automatically convert MMS content to SMS with an embedded URL where recipients view the multimedia content.

Mobile Number Portability and Landline Restrictions

Number Portability (MNP)

Kazakhstan supports number portability since January 1, 2016. Over 99,000 subscribers ported their numbers within the first three months. Number portability does not impact message delivery or routing – the network infrastructure handles porting transparently.

How to port: Submit a written application with an identity document at any Kcell Center, Kcell Store, or equivalent service center.

Can You Send SMS to Landlines in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan does not support SMS to landline numbers. Attempts to send messages to landlines return a 400 response error (code 21614). Failed messages do not appear in logs and incur no charges.

Kazakhstan SMS Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry oversees SMS regulations in Kazakhstan. Comply with the Law on Communications and data protection regulations for all SMS marketing activities.

Recent Updates: Article 15-3 (law №115-VIII, July 5, 2024) introduced additional regulatory requirements for SMS communications.

Consent and Opt-In Requirements for SMS Marketing

Explicit Consent Requirements:

• Obtain written consent before sending promotional or marketing messages
• Maintain consent records in an easily accessible format
• Document the following in your opt-in records:
  • Date and time of consent
  • Source of consent (web form, paper document, etc.)
  • Scope of consent (message types the customer agreed to receive)
  • Customer's phone number and contact information

How to Handle HELP/STOP Commands

Support standard opt-out keywords in all SMS campaigns:

• STOP, СТОП (Russian)
• ТОҚТАТУ (Kazakh)

Provide HELP/КӨМЕК command responses in both Russian and Kazakh. Respond to opt-out requests immediately and confirm via SMS within 24 hours.

Do Not Call Registry Requirements

Kazakhstan does not maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry. Follow these requirements:

• Maintain suppression lists for opted-out numbers
• Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
• Clean contact lists regularly to remove unsubscribed numbers
• Implement systems that prevent messaging opted-out numbers

What Are the SMS Sending Time Restrictions in Kazakhstan?

Critical Time Restrictions:

• Time Zone: Kazakhstan uses UTC+5 (no daylight saving time) as of March 1, 2024
• Prohibited Hours: Promotional SMS between 9 PM and 9 AM local time (UTC+5)
• Messages sent during restricted hours fail delivery
• Exception: Emergency notifications and service-related transactional messages
• Best Practice: Schedule campaigns between 10 AM and 6 PM local time for optimal delivery

How to Register SMS Sender IDs in Kazakhstan

Alphanumeric Sender ID Registration Process

Pre-registration required: Kazakhstan requires sender ID registration before use. Dynamic sender IDs are not allowed.

Registration timeline: Approximately 3 weeks

Required documentation:

• Company registration documents
• Brand proof
• Use case description

Provider registration: Register separately with each SMS provider.

Sender ID preservation: Registered IDs remain consistent across networks.

Long Codes for SMS in Kazakhstan

Domestic long codes: Not supported

International long codes: Supported with limitations. Carriers may modify international long codes during delivery.

Provisioning time: Immediate for international codes

Use cases: Transactional messages, authentication, and OTP delivery

Short Codes

Short codes are not currently supported in Kazakhstan.

What Content Is Prohibited in Kazakhstan SMS?

Prohibited Content and Industries:

• Gambling and betting services
• Adult content and explicit material
• Religious content and proselytizing
• Political messaging and campaign communications
• Cryptocurrency promotions and ICO marketing

Regulated Industries:

• Financial services: Require additional documentation and compliance verification
• Healthcare: Messages must comply with privacy regulations and patient confidentiality laws

How Carrier Filtering Works in Kazakhstan

Carrier Filtering Rules:

• Carriers automatically block messages containing restricted keywords before delivery
• Use only approved domains registered with your provider for URLs
• Content screening checks for prohibited terms in both Russian and Kazakh

Best Practices to Avoid Blocking:

• Avoid excessive punctuation (!!!, ???)
• Avoid all capital letters in message body
• Limit URLs to necessary cases only
• Use approved message templates when possible
• Test messages before launching large campaigns

Best Practices for SMS Campaigns in Kazakhstan

Effective Messaging Strategy

• Keep messages under 160 characters to avoid segmentation charges
• Include clear calls-to-action with specific next steps
• Use personalization tokens thoughtfully (name, account details)
• Maintain consistent sender IDs across campaigns for brand recognition

Optimal Sending Frequency and Timing

• Send 2–3 messages per week per recipient maximum to avoid fatigue
• Respect religious holidays (especially Ramadan and Islamic observances)
• Avoid weekends unless subscribers explicitly request weekend messages
• Schedule campaigns during business hours (10 AM – 6 PM UTC+5) for optimal engagement

SMS Localization for Kazakhstan

• Support both Kazakh and Russian languages in campaigns
• Allow language preference selection during opt-in
• Use UCS-2 character encoding for Cyrillic alphabets
• Consider cultural sensitivities in message content and tone

Managing Opt-Outs Effectively

• Process opt-outs within 24 hours
• Maintain detailed opt-out logs with timestamps
• Include clear opt-out instructions in every marketing message
• Send SMS confirmation for opt-out requests

Testing and Monitoring Delivery

• Test across all major carriers (Kcell, Beeline, Tele2) before launching campaigns
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier to identify issues
• Track opt-out rates and patterns for compliance
• Test opt-out functionality regularly on all campaigns

SMS API Integration for Kazakhstan

Send SMS with Twilio in Kazakhstan

Twilio provides SMS capabilities for Kazakhstan through their REST API. Authenticate with your Account SID and Auth Token.

import { Twilio } from 'twilio';

// Initialize Twilio client
const client = new Twilio(process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);

async function sendSmsKazakhstan() {
    try {
        // Send message with registered alphanumeric sender ID
        const message = await client.messages.create({
            body: 'Your verification code is: 123456', // Message content
            from: 'YourBrand',  // Pre-registered sender ID
            to: '+77012345678', // Kazakhstan number format
            // Schedule within allowed hours (9 AM – 9 PM UTC+5)
            scheduleType: 'fixed',
            sendAt: new Date('2024-01-20T10:00:00+05:00')
        });

        console.log(`Message sent successfully: ${message.sid}`);
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error sending message:', error);
    }
}

Sending SMS with Sinch API

Sinch offers SMS services for Kazakhstan with REST API integration. Authenticate using a Bearer token.

import axios from 'axios';

async function sendSinchSms() {
    const SINCH_API_TOKEN = process.env.SINCH_API_TOKEN;
    const SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID = process.env.SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID;

    try {
        const response = await axios.post(
            `https://sms.api.sinch.com/xms/v1/${SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID}/batches`,
            {
                from: 'YourBrand', // Pre-registered sender ID
                to: ['+77012345678'],
                body: 'Your verification code is: 123456',
                // Additional Kazakhstan-specific parameters
                delivery_report: 'summary'
            },
            {
                headers: {
                    'Authorization': `Bearer ${SINCH_API_TOKEN}`,
                    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
                }
            }
        );

        console.log('Message sent:', response.data.id);
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error:', error.response?.data || error.message);
    }
}

Using MessageBird API for Kazakhstan SMS

MessageBird provides SMS API access for Kazakhstan with specific features for the region.

import messagebird from 'messagebird';

const messageBirdClient = messagebird(process.env.MESSAGEBIRD_API_KEY);

function sendMessageBirdSms() {
    const params = {
        originator: 'YourBrand', // Pre-registered sender ID
        recipients: ['+77012345678'],
        body: 'Your verification code is: 123456',
        // Kazakhstan-specific parameters
        scheduledDatetime: null, // For immediate sending
        validity: 3600 // Message validity in seconds
    };

    messageBirdClient.messages.create(params, (err, response) => {
        if (err) {
            console.error('Error:', err);
            return;
        }
        console.log('Message sent:', response.id);
    });
}

Plivo SMS API Integration

Plivo's SMS API supports Kazakhstan with specific regional configurations.

import plivo from 'plivo';

const client = new plivo.Client(
    process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_ID,
    process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

async function sendPlivoSms() {
    try {
        const response = await client.messages.create({
            src: 'YourBrand', // Pre-registered sender ID
            dst: '+77012345678',
            text: 'Your verification code is: 123456',
            // Kazakhstan-specific options
            url: 'https://your-callback-url.com/status',
            method: 'POST'
        });

        console.log('Message sent:', response.messageUuid[0]);
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error:', error);
    }
}

Understanding API Rate Limits

• Default rate limit: 100 messages per second
• Burst limit: 1,000 messages per minute
• Daily quota: Based on account type and provider agreement

Strategies for Large-Scale SMS Sending:

• Implement queue systems (Redis/RabbitMQ) for message management
• Use batch APIs when your provider supports them
• Schedule messages across permitted hours (9 AM – 9 PM UTC+5)
• Monitor throughput and adjust sending rates dynamically

Common Error Codes and Troubleshooting

Common Error Codes:

• 21614: Invalid destination (attempted to send to landline number)
• 21408: Message sent outside allowed hours (9 PM – 9 AM UTC+5)
• 21611: Invalid or unregistered sender ID

Logging Best Practices:

• Log all API responses with timestamps
• Track delivery receipts and status updates
• Monitor bounce rates by carrier
• Implement retry logic with exponential backoff for failed messages

Kazakhstan SMS FAQs

What is the best time to send SMS in Kazakhstan?

Send SMS campaigns between 10 AM and 6 PM UTC+5 for optimal engagement. Kazakhstan telecommunications law prohibits promotional messages between 9 PM and 9 AM local time.

How long does sender ID registration take?

Alphanumeric sender ID registration in Kazakhstan takes approximately 3 weeks. You'll need company registration documents, brand proof, and a detailed use case description.

Which mobile operators work in Kazakhstan?

The three major mobile operators are Kcell (41% market share), Beeline (second-largest), and Tele2. Test your SMS campaigns across all three carriers before launching large-scale campaigns.

Do I need consent to send marketing SMS?

Yes. Obtain explicit written consent before sending promotional or marketing messages in Kazakhstan. Maintain detailed consent records including date, time, source, and scope of consent.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Compliance Priorities for Kazakhstan SMS

1. Sender ID Registration:

   • Pre-register alphanumeric sender IDs (3-week process)
   • Prepare company documentation and use case descriptions
   • Register with your SMS provider

2. Time Restrictions:

   • Respect UTC+5 time zone (effective March 1, 2024)
   • Only send promotional SMS between 9 AM – 9 PM
   • Schedule campaigns between 10 AM – 6 PM for best results

3. Consent Management:

   • Obtain and maintain written consent records
   • Implement STOP/СТОП/ТОҚТАТУ opt-out keywords
   • Process opt-outs within 24 hours

Technical Requirements Checklist

• Use correct number formatting (+7 country code)
• Implement proper character encoding (GSM-7 or UCS-2)
• Monitor delivery status across all three carriers
• Test thoroughly before large campaigns
• Maintain clean, updated contact lists

Getting Started with Kazakhstan SMS

1. Review Regulations: Study the Kazakhstan Communications Law (updated July 2024)
2. Legal Consultation: Consult with local legal counsel for compliance verification
3. Provider Setup: Register sender IDs with your SMS provider (Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo)
4. Testing Environment: Set up a testing environment with all three carriers
5. Related Guides: Review E.164 phone number formatting for proper number handling, and learn about 10DLC SMS registration for U.S. SMS campaigns

Additional Resources and Contacts

Regulatory Bodies:

• Ministry of Digital Development – Primary regulatory authority
• Telecommunications Committee – Technical oversight
• Kcell MNP Information – Number portability details

Contact Information:

• Regulatory Authority: +7 (7172) 74-99-99
• Technical Support: Contact your SMS provider
• Legal Consultation: Local telecommunications law firms specializing in digital communications

For developers implementing SMS solutions, explore our comprehensive SMS API integration tutorials covering Express, Next.js, and other popular frameworks.