Infobip is a global leader in omnichannel communications, especially strong in Asia and emerging markets:
- Local Presence: Direct carrier connections in Sri Lanka and 190+ countries
- High Deliverability: 98%+ delivery rate with smart routing
- Sender ID Support: Use your business name (e.g., "YourStudio") as sender
- Competitive Pricing: Often cheaper than global providers for Asian markets
- Real-time Reports: Track delivery, opens, and clicks
- 24/7 Support: Local support teams in multiple time zones
Infobip Advantages
Fast Delivery
Direct carrier connections for faster SMS delivery in Sri Lanka
Sender ID
Show your business name instead of random numbers
Local Support
Regional support team understands local requirements
Enterprise Grade
Bank-level security and compliance
Infobip offers competitive pay-as-you-go pricing (contact for exact rates):
Sri Lanka
Competitive local rates
India
DLT compliant
USA
Toll-free available
Free Trial
Test before you buy
Note: Pricing varies by volume. Contact Infobip for custom quotes.
Before You Start
Infobip Account
Create a free Infobip account at infobip.com. You'll get trial credits to test SMS sending.
Sender ID (Optional)
Register your business name as Sender ID for professional branding. Some countries require approval.
API Key
Generate an API key from the Infobip portal. This authenticates your NextEvent integration.
SMS Setup Steps
Create Infobip Account
Sign up for a free Infobip account
- Go to infobip.com/signup
- Enter your business email and create a password
- Fill in your company details and phone number
- Verify your email by clicking the confirmation link
- Complete the onboarding questionnaire
- Your account is ready with trial credits!
Trial Account Benefits
- Free trial credits to test SMS sending
- Access to all API features
- Send to verified numbers during trial
- Full dashboard and analytics access
Find Your API Credentials
Locate your API Base URL and API Key
Infobip uses an API Key and Base URL for authentication:
- Log in to your Infobip Portal
- Click on your profile icon (top right) → API Keys
- Click Generate new API Key
- Name it NextEvent and click Generate
- Copy the API Key immediately (shown only once!)
- Note your Base URL (e.g.,
xxxxx.api.infobip.com)
API Keys
Your API Credentials
d2q7r5.api.infobip.com
a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6q7r8
Important: Copy your API key now. It won't be shown again!
Save Your API Key!
- Infobip only shows the API key once
- Copy it immediately to a secure location
- If lost, you'll need to generate a new one
- Never share your API key publicly
Set Up Sender ID
Configure your business name as the SMS sender
Sender ID lets recipients see your business name instead of a random number:
- In Infobip Portal, go to Channels → SMS → Senders
- Click Request New Sender
- Enter your desired Sender ID (e.g., "YourStudio", "NextEvent")
- Select the countries where you'll send SMS
- Provide business verification documents if required
- Submit and wait for approval (usually 1-3 business days)
Registered Senders
YourStudio
Alphanumeric Sender ID • Sri Lanka, India
+1 555 123 4567
Numeric Sender • USA, Canada
Sender ID Rules by Country
- Sri Lanka: Alphanumeric Sender ID supported with approval
- India: Entity and template registration required (DLT)
- USA: Toll-free number or 10DLC registration required
- UK: Alphanumeric supported, no approval needed
Configure in NextEvent
Enter your Infobip credentials
- Log in to your NextEvent account
- Go to Settings → SMS Configuration
- Select Infobip as your SMS provider
- Enter your credentials:
Infobip SMS Configuration
SMS Configuration - Infobip
You're All Set!
Click "Send Test SMS" to verify your configuration. You can now send automated SMS notifications from NextEvent with your business name!
SMS Use Cases in NextEvent
Quote Notifications
"Hi Nuwan, your quote for Wedding Photography (Rs.150,000) is ready! View: bit.ly/xxxxx"
Payment Reminders
"Reminder: Balance payment of Rs.75,000 due on Dec 20. Pay now: bit.ly/xxxxx"
Event Reminders
"Your wedding shoot is tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Location: Grand Hotel, Colombo."
Promotional Campaigns
"Avurudu Special! 25% off all packages. Book before April 10. Reply YES for details."
Infobip is an official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP) with streamlined onboarding:
- Official BSP: Authorized by Meta to provide WhatsApp Business API
- Fast Onboarding: Simplified business verification process
- Rich Messaging: Send images, PDFs, buttons, and interactive lists
- Template Management: Easy template creation and approval
- Unified Platform: Manage SMS + WhatsApp from one dashboard
- Analytics: Track delivery, read receipts, and engagement
WhatsApp uses Meta's conversation-based pricing (24-hour windows):
Marketing
Promotions, offers
Utility
Reminders, updates
Authentication
OTPs, verification
Service
1,000 free/month
Note: Prices are set by Meta + Infobip margin. First 1,000 service conversations/month are FREE!
Before You Start
Infobip Account
A verified Infobip account with WhatsApp channel enabled. Contact Infobip sales to activate.
Facebook Business Account
A verified Facebook Business Manager account linked to your WhatsApp Business profile.
Phone Number
A dedicated phone number for WhatsApp Business (not used with personal WhatsApp).
WhatsApp Setup Steps
Request WhatsApp Access
Enable WhatsApp channel in your Infobip account
- Log in to your Infobip Portal
- Go to Channels → WhatsApp
- Click Request Access or Get Started
- Complete the WhatsApp Business onboarding form
- Connect your Facebook Business Manager account
- Submit your business for verification
- Wait for approval (usually 1-2 business days)
Embedded Signup
Infobip offers "Embedded Signup" which streamlines the onboarding process. You can complete Facebook Business verification directly within the Infobip portal.
Register Phone Number
Add and verify your WhatsApp Business number
- In Infobip Portal, go to Channels → WhatsApp → Senders
- Click Add Sender
- Enter your phone number (with country code)
- Choose verification method (SMS or Voice call)
- Enter the verification code received
- Set up your WhatsApp Business Profile (name, description, logo)
Phone Number Requirements
- Must NOT be registered with personal WhatsApp
- Can be a landline (voice verification) or mobile
- Once registered, cannot be used with personal WhatsApp
- Recommend using a dedicated business line
Create Message Templates
Set up pre-approved templates for notifications
WhatsApp requires pre-approved templates for business-initiated messages:
- Go to Channels → WhatsApp → Templates
- Click Create Template
- Select template category (Utility, Marketing, Authentication)
- Choose language and create your template
- Use
{{1}},{{2}}placeholders for variables - Submit for Meta approval (usually 24-48 hours)
Example Templates for NextEvent
- Quote Ready: "Hi {{1}}, your quote for {{2}} is ready! Amount: Rs.{{3}}. View details: {{4}}"
- Payment Reminder: "Reminder: Payment of Rs.{{1}} due on {{2}}. Pay now: {{3}}"
- Event Reminder: "Your {{1}} is scheduled for {{2}} at {{3}}. See you there!"
- Thank You: "Thank you for choosing {{1}}! We hope you loved our service. Review us: {{2}}"
Get API Credentials
Same credentials as SMS setup
WhatsApp uses the same Infobip API credentials as SMS:
- Go to your profile → API Keys
- Use your existing API Key or create a new one
- Note your API Base URL
- Note your WhatsApp Sender Number
Infobip WhatsApp Configuration
Configure in NextEvent
Enter your WhatsApp credentials
- Log in to your NextEvent account
- Go to Settings → WhatsApp Configuration
- Select Infobip as your WhatsApp provider
- Enter your API Base URL and API Key
- Enter your registered WhatsApp number
- Map your message templates to NextEvent notifications
- Click Save and test!
WhatsApp Configuration - Infobip
You're All Set!
Your WhatsApp Business is now connected to NextEvent. You can send quotes, reminders, and updates via WhatsApp with your approved templates!
WhatsApp Use Cases in NextEvent
Send PDF Quotes
Send beautifully formatted PDF quotes directly to customer's WhatsApp with one click.
Share Event Photos
Send preview images or gallery links after events. Rich media for instant impact.
Payment Links
Send payment reminders with clickable buttons for instant payment.
Two-Way Chat
Customers can reply to your messages. Handle inquiries directly from NextEvent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Infobip vs Twilio - Which should I choose?
Both are excellent choices. Here's a quick comparison:
- Choose Infobip if: You're primarily sending to Sri Lanka, India, or Southeast Asia. Infobip has direct carrier connections for better delivery rates and pricing in these regions.
- Choose Twilio if: You're sending globally, especially to the US/Europe, or prefer their developer-friendly documentation and broader community support.
- Both support SMS and WhatsApp with similar features. Try both trials and compare delivery rates for your target countries.
How do I get a Sender ID approved in Sri Lanka?
To get an Alphanumeric Sender ID approved in Sri Lanka:
- Log in to Infobip Portal → Channels → SMS → Senders
- Request a new sender with your business name
- Provide business registration documents (Form 1/20 or equivalent)
- Infobip will coordinate with local carriers
- Approval typically takes 3-5 business days
What are the SMS rates for Sri Lanka?
Infobip typically offers competitive rates for Sri Lanka, approximately Rs. 8-12 per SMS depending on volume. Contact Infobip directly for exact pricing as rates vary based on:
- Message volume (higher volumes = lower rates)
- Sender ID type (alphanumeric vs numeric)
- Message type (transactional vs promotional)
- Contract terms (prepaid vs postpaid)
How long does WhatsApp Business approval take?
WhatsApp Business API approval typically takes:
- Facebook Business verification: 1-3 business days
- WhatsApp sender registration: Same day after Facebook verification
- Template approval: 24-48 hours per template
Total time from start to sending your first message: Usually 3-5 business days.
Messages aren't delivering - what's wrong?
Common delivery issues and solutions:
- Trial account: Can only send to verified numbers during trial
- Wrong API URL: Use your account-specific base URL (not api.infobip.com)
- Invalid Sender ID: Ensure sender is approved for the destination country
- Number format: Use E.164 format (+94771234567)
- Template not approved: For WhatsApp, templates must be approved by Meta
- Insufficient balance: Add credits to your Infobip account
Can I use both Infobip and Twilio?
Yes! NextEvent supports multiple SMS and WhatsApp providers. You can configure different providers for different purposes:
- Use Infobip for Sri Lanka/India (better local rates)
- Use Twilio for US/Europe (broader coverage)
- Set up automatic routing based on destination country
Ready to Connect with Customers?
Set up Infobip SMS and WhatsApp in NextEvent and start sending automated notifications today!