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POST
/
v1
/
api
/
sms#france
Send SMS (France)
curl --request POST \
  --url 'https://api.withallo.com/v1/api/sms#france' \
  --header 'Authorization: <api-key>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '
{
  "sender_id": "MyCompany",
  "to": "+33612345678",
  "message": "Bonjour, ceci est un message de test"
}
'
{
  "data": {
    "from_number": null,
    "sender_id": "MyCompany",
    "to_number": "+33612345678",
    "type": "OUTBOUND",
    "content": "Bonjour, ceci est un message de test",
    "start_date": "2024-01-15T10:30:00"
  }
}
To send SMS in France, you need a verified Sender ID. Configure your Sender ID from Settings > Compliance.
French operators block SMS sent from standard mobile numbers (+33 6xx / +33 7xx) via API. You must use an Alphanumeric Sender ID or a Short Code to send business SMS in France.

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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.

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Your options

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Alphanumeric Sender ID

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.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
Key limitation: Recipients cannot reply.Setup time: 1 to 5 business days.

​
Short Code (5-digit number)

A dedicated or shared 5-digit number (e.g., 36xxx for marketing, 38xxx for transactional messages).Best for: Two-way conversations, customer service, keyword campaigns, and high-volume marketing with native STOP handling.Key advantage: Recipients can reply.Setup time: 2 to 4 months for a dedicated code. Days to weeks for a shared code.
Most small businesses start with Alphanumeric Sender ID. Add a Short Code later if you need two-way messaging.

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French SMS compliance rules

Consent:
  • B2C: Explicit opt-in required.
  • B2B: No prior opt-in required, but the message must relate to the recipient’s professional activity.
Time restrictions (marketing SMS only):
  • No marketing SMS on Sundays or French public holidays
  • No marketing SMS between 20:00 and 08:00
STOP mechanism: Every marketing SMS must include opt-out instructions.

Authorizations

​
Authorization
string
header
required

Scope needed: SMS_SEND

Body

application/json

Request body for sending an SMS message in France using a verified Sender ID

​
sender_id
string
required

Your verified Sender ID (must be verified by the Allo team). This is an alphanumeric identifier that will appear as the sender of the SMS.

Example:

"MyCompany"

​
to
string
required

Recipient phone number in France (E.164 format, must start with +33)

Example:

"+33612345678"

​
message
string
required

Message content

Required string length: 1 - 1000
Example:

"Bonjour, ceci est un message de test"

Response

SMS sent successfully

Standard response wrapper for sent SMS

​
data
object

Sent SMS message details