FAQ
Common questions about bulk SMS in Tanzania
Straight answers about pricing, Sender IDs, delivery, payments and the API. Can't find what you need? See pricing, Sender ID or contact us.
How much does bulk SMS cost in Tanzania?
DARSMS charges TZS 25 per SMS for 100 to 5,000 SMS (the minimum purchase is 100 credits), TZS 22 for 5,001 to 10,000 SMS and TZS 20 for 10,001 SMS or more. Registration is free and there are no monthly fees.
SMS pricingCan I use my business name as sender ID?
Yes. Request a custom Sender ID of 3 to 11 letters or numbers for a one-time registration fee shown in your dashboard. Once approved, customers see your business name instead of a phone number.
Sender IDWho should use DARSMS?
Businesses, schools, retailers, microfinance institutions, clinics, churches, NGOs and developers in Tanzania who need to send reminders, alerts, notifications or marketing messages.
IndustriesDoes DARSMS support scheduled campaigns?
Yes. You can schedule bulk SMS campaigns in advance and monitor delivery reports after sending.
Bulk SMS serviceDoes DARSMS have an SMS API for developers?
Yes. Developers can send SMS and check delivery status through our SMS API using a secure API key. See the API documentation for request examples and integration steps.
API documentationHow do I pay for SMS credits in Tanzania?
You buy SMS credits with mobile money directly from your dashboard. Credits are prepaid, so there is no monthly subscription, and you can request a VAT (EFD) receipt at checkout.
Pricing and paymentsHow fast are bulk SMS delivered?
Messages are queued and sent within seconds to all five Tanzanian networks (Vodacom, Yas (formerly Tigo), Airtel, Halotel and TTCL). You can then track exactly which messages were delivered, failed, or rejected in your delivery reports.
Delivery reportsDoes DARSMS offer WhatsApp Business API?
Yes. DARSMS provides the official WhatsApp Business API in partnership with MOBISHASTRA TANZANIA PVT LTD. You get a verified business number, Meta-approved message templates, a shared team inbox, and API access for automated notifications. Pricing is per 24-hour conversation rather than per message.
WhatsApp Business APIWhat is the difference between bulk SMS and WhatsApp Business API?
Bulk SMS does not require a smartphone, an app or mobile data on the recipient’s phone and is billed per SMS part per recipient. Marketing SMS requires consent; operational updates should be expected by the recipient. WhatsApp requires the app, internet access and customer opt-in, and supports images, buttons and two-way chat. See WhatsApp pricing and our messaging terms for details.
Messaging termsHow do I register a sender ID?
Request your sender name (3 to 11 characters) in the Sender IDs section, pay the one-time fee, and submit it for approval. Once approved, your brand name appears as the sender on every message.
Sender ID registrationWhat does one SMS credit cover?
One SMS credit sends one SMS part to one phone number. Longer messages use more credits. A single SMS holds up to 160 standard GSM characters or 70 Unicode characters; multipart messages hold up to 153 or 67 per part. See the message-length table on our pricing page.
Full detailsDo I need consent to send marketing SMS?
Yes. Send marketing SMS only to recipients who have given valid permission, and honour requests to stop receiving messages. A valid phone number or a purchased list does not establish consent. Operational updates should be reasonably expected by the recipient. See our messaging terms.
Full detailsDo DARSMS SMS credits expire?
No. Purchased SMS credits never expire. The minimum purchase is 100 credits, and larger purchases get a lower price per SMS.
SMS pricingWhich mobile networks does DARSMS deliver to?
All five Tanzanian mobile networks: Vodacom, Yas (formerly Tigo), Airtel, Halotel and TTCL. You can send one campaign to a mixed list without splitting numbers by network.
Networks coveredIs DARSMS only a bulk SMS provider?
No. Besides bulk SMS from the dashboard, DARSMS provides an SMS API for OTPs and transactional messages, custom Sender ID registration, and the official WhatsApp Business API, with one account and one local support team in Dar es Salaam.
All solutionsDoes DARSMS follow TCRA rules for Sender IDs?
Yes. Custom Sender IDs are registered and approved according to TCRA Sender ID requirements before they can be used, because Tanzanian networks block messages from unregistered Sender IDs.
Sender ID registrationThe legal details
The full terms covering your account, and exactly how we handle your data and contact lists.
Still have a question we have not answered?