---
title: Understanding Carrier Fees
description: Most cellular carriers charge a small additional per-message fee to send texts on their networks. These fees vary based on the type of number you’re sending from, what country you’re sending in, and w
---

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# Understanding Carrier Fees

Most wireless carriers charge a per-message fee to deliver messages on their networks. These fees vary based on three factors: the type of sending number you use, the country you’re sending in, and whether your message includes media (such as an image). **SlickText passes these fees through to you at no additional markup.**

Fees are charged based on the [industry standard definition of a message](https://help.slicktext.com/understanding-message-credits-usage-counting-and-rollovers-1). Because messages are delivered across many different carriers—each with its own fee structure—SlickText uses a blended rate model to calculate what you're charged. 

The carriers may adjust their messaging fees from time to time. In response, SlickText may update the blended carrier rates shown below to align with current carrier pricing.

                                  **SMS:**

| **Sending Number Type** | **Current Rates** |
| --- | --- |
| U.S. Short Code | $0.0042 |
| 10DLC | $0.0042 |
| Toll-Free | $0.0042 |
| Canadian Short Code | $0.0050 |

**MMS:**

| **Sending Number Type** | **Current Rates** |
| --- | --- |
| U.S. Short Code | $0.0087 |
| 10DLC | $0.0087 |
| Toll-Free | $0.0087 |
| Canadian Short Code | $0.0130 |

**RCS:**

| **RCS Message Type** | **Current Rates** |
| --- | --- |
| Rich | $0.0052 |
| Rich Media | $0.0099 |

SlickText charges carrier fees in arrears. At the end of each billing period, SlickText reviews your outbound message volume and applies the rates from the tables above to calculate your carrier fees. Your first invoice will not include carrier fees if no messages have been sent yet. Carrier fee billing by plan type:

- **Monthly plans:** Carrier fees appear on your monthly invoice.
- **Annual plans:** Carrier fees are billed every 30 days.

For example, if your account uses a toll-free number and sends 500 SMS messages, your total carrier fees would be $2.10 (500 SMS X $.0042 = $2.10).

**Note:**

Carrier fees are applied to all outbound messages sent through SlickText. However, not every outbound message consumes a message credit (for example, certain system-generated messages to your subscribers).

Because of this, message credits used may be slightly lower than the total number of messages subject to carrier fees during a given billing period.

 

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