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SMS sender name: the rules and how to get it approved

A text sender name (Sender ID) shows your business name instead of a phone number. Here is what the name can look like, what the regulation requires, and exactly what to send us.

How the name must look

These rules come from the mobile networks, not from us. They are the same with every provider worldwide, and they are strict:

  • Up to 11 characters, including spaces.
  • Latin letters and digits only. A sender name in Hebrew is not possible.
  • At least one letter. A name made only of digits is read by the network as a phone number.
  • Avoid special characters such as - @ # ! & and extra spaces at the start or end.
A name longer than 11 characters is not shortened, it is simply not approved. MESER10 works, Meser10 Ltd does not.

What the regulation requires

This is not a Meser10 procedure. It comes from the Israeli Ministry of Communications directive on reducing SMS phishing (6 July 2022), and it applies to everyone who sends SMS in Israel. A text sender name requires strong verification (KYC): at least a face-to-face meeting or a video call, with the sender's name, address, contact details and two identity documents, or a document showing the identity of the organization being represented.

The directive allows the verification to be done by the license holder "or someone on its behalf", so we do it ourselves and keep the record. That is why approval with us takes a day, not weeks.

What to send us

Three things, all in one email to support:

  • Your full contact details.
  • Two identity documents that show a direct link between the requested name and you (for a company, also a document that shows the company's identity).
  • A short recorded video in which you show the two documents and say your full name and your Meser10 account number.

Your account number is in the system under My account, Account details. Where to find your account number

What to say in the video

No production needed. A phone recording is enough, as long as the documents are clearly visible:

"Hello, my name is ______ from ______, and my role is ______.
These are my identity documents: ______ (shown clearly).
My Meser10 account number is ______."

What a sender name does not allow

A name is not a number, so recipients cannot reply. That is fine for appointment reminders, order confirmations, verification codes and one-way promotions. If you need replies, send from your own verified mobile number or from a dedicated virtual number. Incoming SMS and receive numbers

Frequently asked questions

What are the limits on the sender name itself?
Up to 11 characters, Latin letters and digits only, with at least one letter. A name in Hebrew or a name made only of digits will not be approved. This is a rule of the mobile networks, not of our system, and it is the same worldwide.
Can I use a hyphen or other symbols?
Avoid them. Use letters, digits and a space if needed. For example, write "Brand IOT" or "BrandIOT" instead of "brand-iot".
How long does approval take?
We approve on the same day or the next day, once all the materials have arrived. Delays almost always come from an ID that is not clearly visible or a missing account number.
Why is a video call needed and not just documents?
Because that is the wording of the requirement. The Israeli Ministry of Communications defines KYC verification as verification that includes at least a face-to-face meeting or a video call. Documents alone do not meet the definition.
Can recipients reply to a message sent with a sender name?
No. A text name is not a phone number, so there is no one to reply to. If you need replies, send from your own mobile number or from a virtual number.
Can I choose any name I want?
The name must be directly linked to your business, and that is exactly what the two IDs are for. We cannot approve the name of another organization, a government authority or a brand that is not yours.

Ready to get your name approved?

Email the three items to support@meser10.co.il, or WhatsApp +972 53-458-4334, Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 to 17:00 Israel time. We approve on the same day or the next day. All support guides