A Sender ID is the name or number displayed to the recipient when they receive an SMS. While the SMS channel allows you to choose your Sender ID, it’s important to note that each destination country has its own regulations regarding Sender IDs, and these rules may change over time. Below is an overview of the possibilities for a few countries:
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The Netherlands
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Both numeric and textual senders are allowed.
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Textual senders must be between 3 and 11 characters (applies to all countries).
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Numeric senders can be up to 15 characters long (including country code, e.g., 0031).
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No special registration required.
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Belgium
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All sender IDs are overwritten by the shortcode 8850.
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No special registration required.
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France
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Textual senders are supported, with 'STOP 36047' automatically added to the SMS content.
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To remove the STOP message, a special shortcode is necessary. Contact [email protected] or your CM.com contact person for assistance.
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No special registration required.
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Germany
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Both numeric and textual senders are supported.
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No special registration required.
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UK
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Both numeric and textual senders are supported.
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No special registration required.
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Spain
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The CNMC Alias Registry is a new national system in Spain, introduced under Order TDF/149/2025 and CNMC Circular 1/2026, requiring brands to register alphanumeric SMS/RCS sender IDs to fight smishing.
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Once in force, Spanish operators will block any message using an unregistered alias or sent through a non-enabled messaging provider.
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The official deadline is 7 June 2026, with a proposed extension to 15 September 2026.
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Good to know:
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The registry only covers alphanumeric sender IDs — numeric short codes and long numbers are out of scope.
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Aliases must be 3–11 characters for SMS/MMS or 3–40 for RCS.
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Allowed characters are letters, numbers, spaces, and a limited set of symbols.
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Aliases cannot be generic words, place names without a brand link, or confusable with other brands.
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Approvals, rejections, and modifications are all handled via electronic notifications through the CNMC Electronic Office, and substantial changes such as a new alias text typically require a fresh registration.
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Registration is done through the CNMC Electronic Office and requires a valid digital certificate from the organisation's legal representative. Applicants must provide organisation details (NIF/CIF, legal name, registered address), legal representative details, and alias specifics including text, message type, and activation date.
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Registration is required.
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South Africa
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All sender names are replaced with a local number.
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No special registration required.
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USA & Canada
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Messages must be sent from a local number, available for purchase through the CM platform. Contact [email protected] or your CM.com contact person for assistance.
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Registration is required.
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In all countries, the sender name should be meaningful to recipients and reflect the sending company. Generic sender names (e.g., 'Info', 'Support') may be filtered as SPAM or smishing.
When composing your message in the web interface, you can select or create your own Sender ID. In some countries (e.g., Belgium), a shortcode selection is mandatory because delivery via an alphanumeric Sender ID is not possible.
⚠️ Always ensure compliance with the latest local regulations. The rules outlined in this article may become outdated, so it's crucial to verify current regulations if you're uncertain.