SMS and Texting Trends in The UAE in 2024

This article explores emerging trends and changes in SMS and texting in the UAE.

From messaging apps to 5G, we’ll dive into the details of what’s driving the evolution of texting in the UAE in 2024.

If you’re a business owner trying to improve your business or a student who loves tech, we’ve got you covered.

Keep reading to discover what is in store for SMS in UAE.

Because you’re here, also see the top 10 SMS APIs in the UAE for effortless text messaging in 2024. Also, if you’re interested, see 6 Texting and SMS Habits in the USA in 2024

5 SMS and texting trends in the UAE (2024) 

Without a doubt, SMS and texting are an integral part of our daily communication. In the UAE, where technology is evolving, texting trends are no exception. 

Let’s look at 5 texting and SMS predictions in 2024 in the UAE.

1. Emergence of RCS messaging

Texting is a huge part of UAE’s culture.

The TRA says the UAE leads the world in mobile subscriptions. With 21.5 million subscribers and 217.6 per 100 people, the UAE also tops the list of SMS users.

In 2023, UAE residents sent 11.5 billion SMS messages. That’s 1,300 per person.

Texting lets you connect with your customers quickly and efficiently. You can use texting to:

• Offer deals and discounts
• Confirm orders and deliveries
• Remind customers of appointments and payments
• Provide service and support, and
• Collect feedback and reviews.

With this new text message trend, RCS technology hits the market big time in 2024.

It is an upgrade from the standard SMS (Short Message Service).

It enhances user experience with rich media, such as videos, images, and GIFs.

In contrast to SMS, RCS allows you to create more engaging and interactive content. With RCS, your communication is smoother and more effective.

Did you know more than 444 million people use RCS globally?

This trend is also prevalent in the UAE, where over 50% of smartphone users already use messaging apps.

This makes the UAE a promising market for RCS messaging. And there are many real-time use cases for RCS messaging.

Airline companies use RCS messaging to send their passengers flight updates. This includes gate changes, departure times, and delays.

Even healthcare providers use RCS  to improve appointment management, reminders, and remote consultations.

What does it mean for your business?

If you’re a business operating in the UAE, you must pay attention to this emerging trend in text messaging. RCS offers you the opportunity to deliver interactive messages to your customers. 

This helps in creating a better user experience.

With RCS, you can improve customer engagement and brand loyalty.

To leverage RCS messaging, make sure to:

• Understand the features of RCS and how it can improve your business communication
• Identify the most relevant use cases for your business
• Incorporate RCS messaging into your customer communication strategy
• Track your performance and make necessary adjustments to optimise engagement and conversion rates.

2. Increased adoption of messaging bots and chatbots

Chatbots are smarter, faster, and more engaging than ever.

The global chatbot market is set to explode from 2.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 to 9.4 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. And the number of chatbot users will soar to 1.8 billion.

Chatbots are here to stay. The UAE is also leading the way in conversational AI innovation.

U-Ask, a unified AI-powered chatbot for the UAE’s government services, won the Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards for Governments 2023.

According to a survey conducted by Oracle, chatbots can reduce customer service costs by up to 30%.

Chatbots are here to stay, and the UAE is at the forefront of this technology.

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The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) introduced Rammas — a chatbot that helps customers with their electricity and water-related inquiries.

With Rammas, customers get real-time support without waiting in queues or on the phone.

Other businesses in the UAE are also using chatbots to enhance customer experience.

The EVA chatbot introduced by Emirates NBD bank helps customers with bank issues. It helps customers with account inquiries and money transfers. It can even provide investment advice.

What does it mean for your business? 

You save on costs and time by incorporating chatbots into your customer service. 

Here are a few ways to keep up with the chatbot frenzy:

• Integrate chatbots with your channels to provide 24/7 customer support.
• Use chatbots to gather customer feedback and data. 
• Incorporate chatbots into your sales funnel for personalised product recommendations.
• Train your team to work with chatbots and ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Track and analyse chatbot performance metrics.

SMSCountry provides simple SMS solutions so you can start messaging your customers in minutes. Learn more about our SMS services.

3. Growing popularity of two-factor authentication (2FA)

With the rise in cyber threats, 2FA has become a necessity.

2FA is now popular in the UAE for securing online accounts and preventing identity theft.

With 2FA, users provide two forms of identification. This includes a password and a unique code sent to their phone or email to access their accounts.

According to a survey conducted by TeleSign, 80% of consumers trust a company more if they offer 2FA.

Many businesses in the UAE have adopted 2FA to improve security.

For example, the UAE’s national bank, Emirates NBD, has implemented 2FA. They use it for their online banking services.

Even social media platforms use 2FA to protect user accounts.

See how SMSCountry SMS API services helped Gaurav fix the OTP issues he had using Twilio and Alibaba. Read his story of disappointment with Twilio and how SMSCountry SMS API saved the day.

What does it mean for your business?

Implementing 2FA can improve the security of your online accounts. It can also protect sensitive information. 

Here are some things to consider:

• Encourage your customers to enable 2FA on their accounts for added security.
• Adopt 2FA on all employee accounts to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive data.
• Use secure and reliable 2FA methods, such as biometric authentication.
• Stay updated with the latest 2FA tech to ensure optimal customer security.
• Train your employees on the importance of 2FA and how to install and use it.

Also Read: Best Bulk SMS Providers in the UAE

4. Expansion of A2P messaging services

Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging is an automated process of sending messages. A2P messaging happens from an application to a mobile user.

Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging is an automated process of sending messages. A2P messaging happens from an application to a mobile user.

In the UAE, A2P messaging is rising due to the increase in phone users. According to the TRA, mobile penetration in the UAE reached 219.4% in 2021.

With A2P, you can send offers and reminders to your customers in a few seconds.

The healthcare industry in the UAE is also adopting A2P messaging. They are using it to improve patient care.

Hospitals use A2P messaging to send appointment reminders, health tips, and test results.

Banks and financial institutions use A2P messaging too. They use it to send alerts and other financial information to their customers.

What does it mean for your business?

Incorporating A2P messaging into your strategy can provide several benefits for your business.

Here are several ways to benefit from A2P messaging:

• Send personalised offers and promotions to your customers to increase sales.
• Use A2P messaging for appointment reminders to reduce no-show rates.
• Send transaction alerts and other financial information with A2P messaging.
• Send automated updates to your customers about their order or delivery status. 
• Ensure that you follow regulations and best practices to maintain customer trust.

Check out our list of the best SMS service providers for your business in the UAE. See the best OTP SMS providers to send fast OTPs.

5. Increasing focus on privacy and security in SMS and texting

As you know, SMS is a popular channel. However, there are concerns about privacy and security with SMS usage.

The UAE introduced regulations to ensure the security of personal information. The TRA has also taken action on SMS spam. It bars operators from any access to personal data.

Businesses in the UAE are also taking steps to protect customer data and ensure privacy. This includes implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) and using secure messaging platforms.

There are many use cases for privacy and security in SMS messaging.

For example, banks use SMS to notify customers about transactions and account balances.

Healthcare providers use SMS  to remind patients about appointments and schedules. These SMSes often use secure platforms that follow the regulations to ensure privacy.

What does it mean for your business?

You need to focus on the privacy and security of customer data in SMS messaging.

To guarantee privacy and security, here are some actions you can take:

• Add 2FA as an extra layer of protection for your customers.
• Use secure messaging platforms to protect sensitive information. 
• Educate your customers about the importance of privacy and security.
• Follow regulations and guidelines related to SMS  privacy and security.
• Track and assess your SMS system for potential vulnerabilities or risks.

Best practices for SMS and texting in UAE in 2024

SMS is an important channel for businesses in the UAE.

Ensuring that your SMS and texting practices are up-to-date and effective is important.

Here are some best practices to ensure that your SMS and texting practices are up-to-date and effective in 2024:

• Get proper consent before sending SMS to customers. Ensure that customers have opted in to receive SMS.  Also, ensure the opt-in process is transparent.
• Use a secure SMS gateway provider to ensure the safety of customer data and information. Make sure that the provider complies with local regulations.
• Keep your messages concise, informative, and engaging. Use precise language and avoid using jargon or technical terms.
• Personalise your messages to make them more relevant to your customers. Use names and other details to make the messages more personal and engaging.
• Timing is crucial when it comes to SMS and texting. Ensure you are sending messages at appropriate times. Avoid sending too many messages in a short time.
• Ensure your messages are accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities.
• Track your SMS campaigns and analyse their effectiveness. This will help you to refine your campaign.  It will also improve engagement with customers over time.

Transform your SMS and texting campaigns in the UAE

We’ve discussed the latest SMS and texting trends for the UAE market. This includes the adoption of messaging bots, 2FA, and the expansion of A2P services. 

We also covered best practices for SMS campaigns. This includes ensuring compliance with local regulations, personalisation, and clear CTAs.

Now it’s time to apply these learnings and revolutionise your business with SMSCountry.

Schedule a demo today to see how SMSCountry solution can help you boost engagement and conversions. As a bonus, get free credits to test our services risk-free.