There are times we get unwanted calls and messages about a product or service that we don’t even want. These constant messages and calls can be so annoying and frustrating. These types of messages/calls are called promotional messages, which have become one of the most effective strategies to advertise products and services and reach the target audience
However, a lot of operators have introduced a feature that can opt-out messages delivered from third-party services to avoid receiving them. This feature is known as a Do Not Disturb (DND) list.
A DND list is a list that contains the phone numbers of recipients that choose not to receive any promotional messages about a product or service. This list was created due to complaints made by customers who see these calls or SMS as an invasion of privacy and disturbance.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was the first to apply the DND feature with the support of the National Customer Preference Register (NCPR) before other operators adopted the idea. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) adopted this feature in 2016 to enable users to opt-out of promotional messages like bulk SMS. The main aim of these lists is to protect customers from receiving unwanted calls and messages about a product or service that they are mostly not interested in.
This feature allows customers to block any telemarketing calls or texts by registering their phone numbers in order not to receive any of these calls or texts. Nigeria is one of the few countries with this DND feature, others are India, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Effect of being active on the DND service.
Being on the DND list has its big disadvantages, it affects SMS delivery rate, conversion of OTP texts, banking information, it generally prevents people on this list from receiving important messages from important institutions like finance, educational, government, and health who rely on sending important information through SMS to recipients. As a result of this, people on this list miss out on important information.
How to know if you are on the DND list?
To check if you are on the DND list simply text “STATUS” to “2442”. This is for all mobile networks in Nigeria
How to remove yourself from the DND list?
Deactivating the DND service on your mobile number is easy in case you want to receive all important messages and notifications.
To remove your phone number from the DND list depends on your network provider. It is done via text, to opt-out of the DND list
1. For MTN numbers; text 'ALLOW' to '2442'
2. For GLO numbers; text 'CANCEL' to '2442'
3. For Airtel numbers; text 'ALLOW' to '2442'
4. For 9mobile numbers; text 'START' to '2442'
How to send SMS to DND numbers in SmartSMSSolutions?
SmartSMSSolutions have different ways to get messages delivered to customers whose phone numbers are on DND. Using the corporate route and SIM hosting service which are efficient in ensuring SMS delivery to phone numbers on DND or not.
1. International Route:
This method is designed in such a way that messages are sent as if it is from outside Nigeria through an international route. Here, you can avoid all local policies that will affect SMS delivery including DND. Get all you need to know about the international route.
2. The Transactional Bind or Bank Route:
This method is designed for corporate organizations like financial institutions who often send personalized messages to customers. Time-sensitive messages like OTPs, transactional messages, and delivery updates can be sent using SMS to DND numbers using this method. Get more information about using the transactional bind or bank route.
3. SIM Hosting:
This method can be used when you have any network hosted on a personal server dedicated to your data centre so that any message you send via SMS, the phone numbers on DND can be routed through the hosted SIM. Read here for more information about using the SIM hosting service for SMS delivery.
If you need more information on how to deliver SMS to phone numbers active on DND, chat us up on WhatsApp 07034243326 or email us at
Read through our blog article on DND and how it affects SMS delivery.