If your business uses text messaging to confirm appointments, follow up with leads, or stay in touch with customers, a few carrier fee changes are coming in 2026. These updates affect certain SMS and MMS messages sent through your CRM, so it’s a good idea to review them now and plan ahead for your messaging costs.

📌 Why This Matters

Text messaging is often one of the fastest ways to reach customers, but carrier-related costs can change over time. These pricing updates help support reliable delivery and ongoing service quality across mobile networks. For small business owners, knowing what’s changing can help you budget more accurately, especially if your business sends a high volume of reminders, promotions, or customer service messages.

✨ What’s New

• AT&T fee updates starting April 1, 2026: For standard and toll-free numbers, SMS inbound and outbound fees will change from $0.0030 to $0.0035, and MMS inbound and outbound fees will change from $0.0075 to $0.0090.
• Verizon fee updates starting May 1, 2026: Outbound toll-free SMS fees will change from $0.0040 to $0.0045, and outbound MMS on standard and toll-free numbers will change from $0.0065 to $0.0070 for U.S. messaging traffic on the Verizon network.
• Why these rates are changing: Carrier costs have increased, and these adjustments help maintain dependable message delivery and align pricing with telecom network infrastructure.

🛠️ How to Use It

1. Step 1: Review how your business currently uses SMS and MMS, including appointment reminders, follow-ups, promotions, and support messages.
2. Step 2: Estimate how these updated fees may affect your monthly messaging costs based on your average message volume.
3. Step 3: Decide where text messaging gives the most value, such as reminders that reduce no-shows or follow-ups that help close more sales.
4. Step 4: Keep an eye on your CRM billing and message activity so you can adjust campaigns or communication habits if needed.

💡 Pro Tip

If texting helps you reduce missed appointments or win repeat business, track the revenue it brings in so you can confidently decide where higher messaging costs are still worth it.