SMS Carrier Fees Just Changed in GoHighLevel

A Simple Look at the New Carrier Rates

The biggest change is the increase in SMS Carrier Fees for Verizon and some carriers in the “Other” category. These new rates took effect on October 1, 2026, and they apply automatically.

For Verizon, outbound SMS went from $0.0045 to $0.0050 per message. This applies to Long Code, Short Code, Toll-Free, Authy, and Verify traffic. Verizon RCS Rich messages also increased from $0.0045 to $0.0050 per message.

For carriers in the “Other” category, outbound SMS increased from $0.0040 to $0.0042 per message. Short Code Group A stayed at $0.0025 per message, so there was no change there. The price increase is small, but it matters more when you send large volumes across several client accounts.

Small Changes Can Add Up

SMS Carrier Fees may only increase by a small amount per message, but that can still matter if you send a lot of texts. For agencies managing several client accounts, those extra costs can build up over time.

This is especially important if you use SMS for reminders, follow-ups, promotions, or automated campaigns. The more messages you send, the more useful it is to know what your real messaging costs look like.

You may not need to change your pricing right away, but it’s worth checking your busiest accounts. A quick review can help you see if the new SMS Carrier Fees will affect your monthly costs or profit margins.

The October 1, 2026 carrier fee updates affect outbound messaging sent to U.S. numbers through Verizon and select providers in the ‘Other’ carrier category. While no action is required, agencies can review their messaging usage and billing records to understand how the updated rates may affect their costs.

Here are the steps we will follow:

• Review the Updated Carrier Rates.
• Identify Affected Messaging Types.
• Estimate the Cost Difference.
• Review Messaging Expenses.

• Start by reviewing the new carrier fees announced by GoHighLevel.

1.1 Check the Verizon carrier fee updates.

• Outbound SMS rates for Long Code, Short Code, Toll-Free, Authy, and Verify increase from $0.0045 to $0.0050 per message.
• Outbound RCS Rich rates also increase from $0.0045 to $0.0050 per message.

1.2 Check the ‘Other’ carrier category updates.

• Outbound SMS rates for Long Code, Short Code Group B, Toll-Free, Authy, and Verify increase from $0.0040 to $0.0042 per message.
• Short Code Group A SMS remains at $0.0025 per message.

• Review which messaging types your agency uses when sending messages to U.S. numbers.

2.1 Identify the outbound SMS and RCS traffic associated with the affected carrier categories.

• Focus on messaging types listed in the pricing announcement.
• Remember that the listed rates are carrier fees per message, not necessarily the full cost of sending a message.

2.2 Separate the affected rates from unchanged rates.

• Verizon outbound SMS and RCS Rich rates are increasing.
• The listed ‘Other’ category SMS rates are increasing, except for Short Code Group A SMS, which remains unchanged.

• Compare the previous rates with the updated rates to estimate the potential change in carrier fees.

3.1 Check your usual outbound messaging volume.

• Review available usage reports or billing records for the affected messaging types.
• Use the same message volume when comparing the old and new rates.

3.2 Calculate the estimated difference.

• Verizon: The carrier fee increases by $0.0005 per message.
• ‘Other’ category: The listed outbound SMS carrier fee increases by $0.0002 per message, except for Short Code Group A SMS.

3.3 Multiply the rate difference by the number of affected messages.

• This gives you an estimate of the additional carrier fees for the messaging volume reviewed.

• Use your estimates to review how the updated carrier fees may affect your messaging expenses.

4.1 Compare the estimated fees with your existing messaging budget.

• Check whether the updated rates may affect your expected messaging costs.

4.2 Review your client billing records, if applicable.

• If your agency tracks or passes messaging fees on to clients, make sure your records reflect the announced rate changes.

4.3 Continue monitoring your messaging charges after the update.

• Compare actual charges with your estimates to help identify any differences.

No configuration changes are required for this update. Reviewing your messaging usage and billing records can help you understand the cost impact of the updated carrier fees.

Keep Your Messaging Costs Under Control

The new SMS Carrier Fees are small, but it still makes sense to keep an eye on how much messaging your agency sends. Start with the accounts that use SMS the most, since that is where even a small rate increase will show up first.

Review your workflows and campaigns for messages that are no longer needed. Old reminders, duplicate follow-ups, or extra promotional texts can increase costs without adding much value. Keeping your messaging clean also makes it easier to track what is actually working.

It is also worth checking client pricing from time to time. If you pass messaging costs on to clients, make sure your billing still reflects the updated carrier rates. You do not need to overreact to the increase, but you should know where your costs are going.

Know the Cost Before It Becomes a Problem

The updated SMS Carrier Fees will not affect every agency in the same way. If you send a small number of messages, the difference may be minor. If you manage many client accounts with heavy SMS use, the added cost can become more noticeable.

For example, an agency sending 100,000 affected Verizon messages would pay about $50 more in carrier fees at the new rate. The increase is still small compared with the total cost of running campaigns, but it is large enough to track.

The main takeaway is simple. Know your message volume, understand the new rates, and review your client pricing when needed. That gives you a clearer view of your real messaging costs and helps protect your margins.

The new SMS Carrier Fees are already in effect, with higher rates for Verizon and select providers in the “Other” carrier category. The increase is small per message, but higher send volumes can make the difference more noticeable over time.

There is nothing you need to change in GoHighLevel. The main thing is to understand which rates changed, review your messaging volume, and keep an eye on client costs where needed.

If your agency sends a lot of SMS, this is a good time to check your numbers and make sure your messaging costs still fit your budget. Will these new carrier fees affect how you price SMS for your clients?