Overview
This brief article contains the basic facts about 8x8’s billing practices for SMS and MMS messaging with 8x8 Work (UC).
This article applies to your account only if you use (or will use) 8x8’s business SMS/MMS in 8x8 Work applications.
Note: Our 8x8 SMS and MMS Usage-Based Billing Transition article contains detailed information about this topic.
Applies To
- 8x8 Work
- SMS/MMS
- Billing
- US and Canada
What Is Happening
8x8 will begin phasing in its new billing regarding SMS/MMS usage-based messaging. This new billing will apply on your account renewal date, on or after November 1, 2024.
Example: If your account were to renew on February 1, 2025, the new SMS billing changes would take effect on your account on that date, and not beforehand.
Why This is Happening
Due to rate changes enforced by mobile carriers for SMS/MMS, we have instituted a usage-based model for customers in the US and Canada.
How It Works
- Accounts renewed on or after November 1, 2024 receive a monthly account-level allowance pool for SMS/MMS messaging.
- The SMS and MMS allowance is equal to the total number of X2 and higher licenses on your 8x8 account, multiplied by 50. The total is pooled at the account level, meaning that all assigned users have access to the entire allowance, so individual users are not limited to 50 outbound messages.
- Outbound messaging usage within this allowance will incur no usage charges.
- Outbound messaging usage in excess of this allowance will incur usage charges.
- The usage allowance is reset at the beginning of each billing cycle, so any unused message counts are not carried over from month to month.
- Inbound messages are not charged.
- For more information, please see:
Example: If you have 1000 8x8 X2 and higher licenses on your account, your combined outbound SMS messaging allowance for these licenses would be 1000 x 50, or 50,000.
What will my billing statement look like?
Please see the section with the name What will my billing statement look like? in our detailed 8x8 SMS and MMS Usage-Based Billing Transition article for information about your billing statement.
Can I access my current SMS usage data?
As of October 10, 2024, all customers can access their current SMS/MMS usage data in the Billing Portal at any time, even if their service has not yet been converted to usage-based billing.
Please see the section with the name How do I access and calculate my current UC SMS/MMS usage? in our detailed 8x8 SMS and MMS Usage-Based Billing Transition article for assistance with this: