International SMS Compliance: UK Long Codes and Turkey URL Block

By Sparkforge Support Team ·Last reviewed May 3, 2026

UK carriers block international long codes for A2P SMS and require an approved RC bundle plus KYC on UK numbers. Turkey blocks all international A2P SMS containing URLs as of April 1, 2026, returning error 30007.

Two active rules affect international SMS sent through Sparkforge Phone or a connected Twilio account. Read the section that applies to where your recipients live and act on it before messages start failing.

United Kingdom: long codes blocked, RC bundle required

UK network operators began blocking international long codes for Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS on June 1, 2023. Long codes were originally Person-to-Person numbers, and carriers now treat A2P traffic from them as abuse.

In 2024, regulators added more requirements for UK long codes themselves:

  • May 27, 2024. All new UK long codes require an approved Regulatory Compliance (RC) bundle before sending SMS or making calls.
  • September 30, 2024. All UK long codes, new and existing, must have an approved RC bundle.
  • KYC verification. You must provide business identity and use-case documentation.
  • Full enforcement. By mid-2024, every UK carrier was blocking non-compliant traffic and unregistered UK long codes.

What to do for UK SMS

  1. Stop using non-UK long codes for UK recipients. Switch immediately.
  2. Pick a compliant sender type:
    • UK Long Code (local number) with KYC and RC approval.
    • Alphanumeric Sender ID for one-way branded messages.
    • Short Code for high-volume or two-way traffic (12-16 weeks to provision).
  3. Submit your RC bundle in the Twilio Console with KYC documents.
  4. Audit your traffic. In Twilio Messaging Insights, filter From Country ≠ UK and To Country = UK to find non-compliant routes.

Buying a UK number in Twilio

  1. Go to Console → Develop → Phone Numbers → Buy a number.
  2. Set Country to UK.
  3. Uncheck Voice if you want SMS-only.
  4. Select an SMS-capable number and complete the RC bundle submission.

UK timeline

DateMilestone
June 1, 2023UK carriers begin blocking international long codes
May 27, 2024New UK long codes require RC bundle approval
July 30, 2024Full enforcement across all UK networks
Sept 30, 2024All UK long codes (new and existing) must be RC-approved

Turkey: international SMS with URLs blocked April 1, 2026

Turkey's Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu (BTK) blocks all international A2P SMS containing URLs, hyperlinks, or shortened links sent to Turkish recipients. Blocked messages return error code 30007 and operators may issue fines.

The block applies to every message type, including order confirmations, shipping updates, appointment reminders, and one-time passcodes.

What to do for SMS to Turkey

  1. Remove every URL from templates and workflows targeting Turkish numbers. That covers full URLs, shortened URLs (bit.ly, hl.link, etc.), hyperlinked anchor text, and tracking links.
  2. Open your Sparkforge sub-account and edit affected SMS templates, workflows, and campaigns. Replace links with a phone number, email address, or plain instructions.
  3. Save and republish, then test delivery to a Turkish number with a URL-free message.

If you have a registered Turkey business entity

If your company is registered in Turkey and must keep sending URLs:

  1. Sign a direct contract with Posta Güvercini, a BTK-licensed local messaging platform.
  2. Authorize Posta Güvercini through the Turkish Message Management System (IYS).
  3. Contact Sparkforge Support to finalize routing.

Without a local entity, the only path is to remove URLs.

No action needed if

  • You do not send SMS to Turkey, or
  • Your messages to Turkish numbers contain no URLs or hyperlinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Turkey URL block apply to OTPs and transactional SMS?
Yes. The BTK rule covers all international A2P SMS regardless of message type, including one-time passcodes, order confirmations, and shipping notifications.
Can I use a URL shortener to bypass the Turkey block?
No. Shortened URLs are explicitly included in the block. Full URLs, short links, and hyperlinks are all filtered.
What does error code 30007 mean?
It is a carrier-level filtering error indicating the message was blocked before delivery. In Turkey it usually means a URL was detected. In the UK it can mean the sender type is not approved for A2P traffic.
Do these rules affect WhatsApp or email?
No. Both rules apply only to international A2P SMS. WhatsApp, email, and other channels are unaffected.
Do I need an RC bundle if I use Sparkforge Phone instead of my own Twilio account?
Yes. Sparkforge handles the carrier relationship, but the underlying number type still has to be compliant. Contact Sparkforge Support if you are unsure about your UK number setup.

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