Types of Bulk SMS in India — A Complete Guide for Businesses
- techtonetworks
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
Businesses need instant and reliable ways to connect with their customers. While email and social media are popular channels, nothing beats the reach and immediacy of SMS. With over a billion mobile connections in India, bulk SMS has become one of the most effective communication tools for businesses of all sizes.
Bulk SMS isn’t just about sending mass messages—it’s about sending the right type of SMS based on your business goals, customer preferences, and regulatory compliance. In this guide, we’ll break down the types of bulk SMS in India, how they work, and how your business can use them to boost engagement and customer trust.
Types of Bulk SMS in India
Promotional SMS
Promotional SMS is designed to promote products, services, or offers. Businesses often use them for marketing campaigns, special discounts, and festival sales.
Use Cases: Retail offers, e-commerce discounts, seasonal campaigns.
Features:
Can only be sent between 9 AM to 9 PM.
Not delivered to customers registered under DND (Do Not Disturb).
Requires DLT registration and template approval.
Best Practices: Keep messages short, personalized, and include clear CTAs (Call-to-Action).
Pro Tip: With TechToNetworks, businesses can schedule and automate promotional SMS campaigns to reach audiences at the right time.
Transactional SMS
Transactional SMS focuses on critical information delivery rather than promotions. They ensure customers get real-time updates without delay.
Use Cases: OTPs, order confirmations, account alerts, payment receipts.
Features:
Delivered 24/7, even to DND numbers.
High priority delivery.
Requires pre-approved message templates.
Best Practices: Always include brand identity, keep messages concise, and avoid promotional content.
TechToNetworks provides secure and reliable transactional SMS solutions trusted by banks, fintech, and e-commerce platforms.
Service-Implicit SMS
These SMS messages are triggered automatically when customers opt for a service. They contain updates directly related to the chosen service.
Examples:
Flight or train booking confirmations.
Doctor’s appointment reminders.
Subscription renewal reminders.
They help businesses build trust by providing timely and relevant updates.
Service-Explicit SMS
Unlike service-implicit, these SMS messages are partly promotional but targeted at existing customers who have given consent.
Examples:
Banks offering new loans to existing customers.
Telecom providers promoting add-on packs.
Importance: Builds loyalty while maintaining compliance by only targeting customers who opted in.
OTP SMS (One-Time Password)
A specialized form of transactional SMS, OTPs are critical for authentication and security.
Use Cases: Banking logins, online shopping payments, mobile app verifications.
Features: Instant delivery with the highest priority route.
Best Practices: Ensure strong SMS delivery infrastructure to prevent delays.
API-based SMS allows businesses to automate communication by integrating SMS services with applications, CRMs, or websites.
Use Cases:
Sending real-time notifications from e-commerce apps.
Automated reminders from healthcare systems.
Alerts for financial transactions.
Benefits: Improves efficiency, ensures accuracy, and saves time for large-scale communication.
Regulatory Guidelines for Bulk SMS in India
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) strictly regulates bulk SMS to protect consumers from spam. Businesses must comply with:
DLT Registration: Every business and SMS provider must register on the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform.
Template Approval: SMS content must be pre-approved before being sent.
Sender ID Rules: Promotional SMS must use numeric headers, while transactional ones often use alphabetic IDs.
Penalties: Non-compliance can result in heavy fines and service suspension.
Choosing the Right Type of Bulk SMS for Your Business
The ideal bulk SMS type depends on your business objectives:
Want to increase sales? → Choose Promotional SMS.
Need to send instant updates? → Use Transactional SMS or OTPs.
Looking to retain customers? → Opt for Service-Explicit SMS.
Need automation? → Implement API-based SMS solutions.
Industry Examples:
E-commerce → Promotional + Transactional SMS.
Banks/Fintech → OTP + Transactional SMS.
Healthcare → Service-Implicit SMS.
Travel & Hospitality → Service-Explicit + API-based SMS.
Conclusion
Bulk SMS remains one of the most reliable and cost-effective ways to reach customers in India. By understanding the different types of SMS—promotional, transactional, service-based, OTPs, and API-driven solutions—businesses can create a targeted communication strategy that drives both engagement and compliance.
The future of SMS marketing in India is bright, but success depends on choosing the right SMS type for your business goals and following TRAI guidelines to build trust and credibility. For businesses looking to streamline communication with trusted solutions, TechToNetworks offers reliable bulk SMS services tailored for every industry need.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between promotional and transactional SMS in India?Promotional SMS is for marketing purposes and restricted to non-DND users during business hours, while transactional SMS delivers critical updates 24/7, even to DND numbers.
2. Can businesses send SMS to DND numbers? Yes, but only transactional and OTP SMS are allowed. Promotional SMS cannot be sent to DND users.
3. What are TRAI’s rules for bulk SMS in India? Businesses must register on the DLT platform, use pre-approved templates, and follow sender ID guidelines.
4. Which industries benefit the most from bulk SMS?E-commerce, banking, fintech, healthcare, telecom, and travel industries see the highest benefits.
5. How to register for DLT before sending bulk SMS? Businesses need to register with telecom operators’ DLT platforms, provide KYC documents, and get SMS templates approved.
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