Why standard mobile numbers don’t work
French operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile) prohibit using mobile numbers for business SMS. ARCEP — France’s telecom regulator — formalized this ban in January 2023. If you try to send SMS from a+33 6 or +33 7 number via API, operators block the message at the network level. Numbers that exceed volume thresholds are automatically suspended.
Allo offers two compliant alternatives: Alphanumeric Sender ID and Short Code.
Your options
- Alphanumeric Sender ID
- Short Code (5-digit number)
Your SMS displays a custom text name (up to 11 characters) instead of a phone number. For example, your recipients see “MOBILEFIRST” instead of
+33 6 12 34 56 78.How it works:
Allo sends your SMS with your brand name as the sender. Recipients see your company name on their phone. No phone number appears.Best for:
Appointment reminders, order confirmations, payment notifications, and one-way marketing campaigns.Formatting rules:- 3 to 11 characters
- Letters (A-Z, a-z) and digits (0-9) only
- Must contain at least one letter
- No spaces or special characters
Setup
Contact Allo support
Reach out to the Allo team with your desired sender name (3 to 11 characters). Example: “MOBILEFIRST”.
Brand verification
Allo verifies your sender name against French operator rules. Certain names are restricted — generic terms like “Alert” or “Bank” and protected brand names (government agencies, major banks) are blocked by AF2M.
French SMS compliance rules
Sending business SMS in France requires following three sets of rules: ARCEP (telecom), CNIL (data protection), and AF2M (industry charter). Consent:- B2C (consumer) SMS: Explicit opt-in consent required before sending. Pre-checked boxes are illegal.
- B2B (professional) SMS: No prior opt-in required, but the message must relate to the recipient’s professional activity. You must identify yourself and offer opt-out.
- No marketing SMS on Sundays or French public holidays
- No marketing SMS between 20:00 and 08:00
- Transactional SMS (order confirmations, OTPs, alerts) has no time restrictions
Common questions
Can I use my existing Allo phone number to send SMS in France?
Can I use my existing Allo phone number to send SMS in France?
No. French operators block SMS sent from standard mobile numbers (
+33 6 / +33 7) via API. You need an Alphanumeric Sender ID or Short Code.Can recipients reply to my Alphanumeric Sender ID?
Can recipients reply to my Alphanumeric Sender ID?
No. Alphanumeric Sender IDs are one-way only. If you need two-way messaging, use a Short Code.
How much does an Alphanumeric Sender ID cost?
How much does an Alphanumeric Sender ID cost?
No additional setup fee. You pay standard per-message rates included in your Business plan.
How long does Short Code setup take?
How long does Short Code setup take?
A dedicated Short Code takes 2 to 4 months. A shared Short Code through an aggregator takes days to a few weeks. Allo handles the process for you.
What sender names are not allowed?
What sender names are not allowed?
Generic terms (“Alert”, “Bank”, “Delivery”, “Test”) and names impersonating government agencies, banks, or major brands are blocked by AF2M. Your sender name must represent your actual business.
Do I need consent to send SMS to business contacts in France?
Do I need consent to send SMS to business contacts in France?
For B2B contacts, no prior opt-in is required. The message must relate to their professional activity, clearly identify you as the sender, and include opt-out instructions.
Can I send marketing SMS at any time?
Can I send marketing SMS at any time?
No. Marketing SMS is restricted to weekdays (Monday to Saturday) between 08:00 and 20:00, excluding French public holidays. Transactional SMS has no time restrictions.
