Businesses frequently ask whether their SMS campaign falls under Transactional or Promotional categories. Knowing the difference ensures full compliance with TRAI regulations and guarantees proper delivery.
| Feature | Transactional / Service SMS | Promotional Bulk SMS |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | OTPs, alerts, receipts, booking updates | Discounts, offers, sales, marketing |
| Delivery Window | 24/7 (Anytime) | 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM only |
| DND Numbers | Delivered to DND & non-DND | Delivered only to non-DND numbers |
| Sender ID Format | 6-letter text (e.g. SAMTEC) |
6-digit numeric (e.g. 543210) |
Which Route Should Your Business Choose?
If your message is triggered by a customer action (like an order, inquiry, login, or appointment), use Transactional / Service routes. If you are announcing a weekend sale or new catalog launch to a wider database, use Promotional Bulk SMS.