HighLevel Phone System SMS Pricing Update for Select International Destinations Starting July 6, 2026

HighLevel has announced an update to SMS pricing for select international destinations, effective July 6, 2026.

This change applies to both outbound and inbound SMS pricing in specific countries. The update is mainly due to increased carrier and messaging provider costs required to maintain reliable global SMS delivery.

For most users, no manual action is required. The new pricing will automatically apply on the effective date.

What’s Changing?

Starting July 6, 2026, SMS rates for certain international destinations will be updated inside the HighLevel Phone System.

The update includes:

• Outbound SMS pricing changes for select international countries

• Inbound SMS pricing changes for select destinations

• Automatic rate adjustments with no action required from users

• Continued support for reliable international message delivery

These changes reflect updated costs from carriers and messaging providers.

In One Sentence

HighLevel is updating SMS pricing for select international destinations on July 6, 2026, due to changes in carrier and provider costs.

Why This Update Matters

SMS remains one of the most important communication tools inside HighLevel, especially for businesses using automation, appointment reminders, lead follow-up, missed-call text-back, and customer nurturing workflows.

For agencies and businesses that message contacts internationally, even small rate changes can affect monthly usage costs.

This update is especially relevant for:

• Agencies managing international clients

• Businesses sending SMS outside the United States and Canada

• Companies using automated SMS follow-up

• Teams running appointment reminders or lead nurturing campaigns

• High-volume messaging users

• Businesses with contacts in affected countries

If your business mainly sends messages locally, this update may have little to no impact. However, if you regularly send or receive international SMS, it is worth reviewing your usage.

Outbound SMS Pricing Changes

HighLevel is updating outbound SMS pricing for several international destinations.

Some destinations are seeing small increases, while others have more noticeable changes.

Examples include:

• Bahamas increasing from $0.0525 to $0.0904

• Cameroon increasing from $0.1959 to $0.3170

• Honduras increasing from $0.2460 to $0.3296

• Malaysia increasing from $0.2594 to $0.3389

• Pakistan increasing from $0.3999 to $0.4734

• South Africa increasing from $0.0757 to $0.1355

• Tunisia increasing from $0.3428 to $0.5379

• Zambia increasing from $0.3278 to $0.3942

There are also a few destinations where outbound pricing is decreasing slightly, including Andorra, Benin, Botswana, China, Congo, Martinique, Mozambique, Seychelles, Uganda, and Ukraine.

Inbound SMS Pricing Changes

HighLevel is also updating inbound SMS pricing for select destinations.

The affected destinations include:

For users receiving inbound SMS from these destinations, the new rates will apply automatically starting July 6, 2026.

Why Are SMS Prices Changing?

SMS pricing is influenced by carrier fees, local telecom regulations, routing costs, and provider infrastructure expenses.

When carriers or messaging providers increase their costs, platforms like HighLevel may need to adjust pricing to continue supporting reliable delivery.

This update is not a change to how the Phone System works. It is a pricing adjustment based on updated international messaging costs.

What Do Users Need to Do?

No action is required.

The updated rates will automatically take effect on July 6, 2026.

However, businesses and agencies should review their international SMS usage if they regularly communicate with contacts in affected countries.

Recommended steps:

• Review workflows that send SMS internationally

• Check high-volume SMS campaigns

• Monitor client accounts with international contacts

• Update client billing if international SMS costs are passed through

• Consider using email or other channels for lower-priority international communication

• Keep SMS for time-sensitive messages such as confirmations, reminders, and urgent follow-ups

Practical Example

Imagine an agency manages a client that sends automated appointment reminders to contacts in South Africa, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

After July 6, 2026, SMS costs for those destinations may increase depending on whether messages are outbound or inbound.

If the client sends a low number of messages, the difference may be minimal. But if the client sends thousands of automated reminders, reactivation messages, or follow-up texts each month, the new rates could affect billing.

In that case, the agency should review the client’s workflows and decide which SMS messages are essential and which could be moved to email or another communication channel.

Strategic Takeaway

This HighLevel Phone System pricing update is a reminder that SMS is powerful, but it should be used strategically.

For urgent follow-up, appointment reminders, missed-call responses, and high-intent lead communication, SMS is still one of the most effective channels. But for international messaging, businesses should be aware of cost changes and monitor usage carefully.

The best approach is not to stop using SMS. The best approach is to make sure every SMS has a clear purpose.

Use SMS where speed and visibility matter most, and use other channels for less urgent messages.

FAQs

When do the new HighLevel SMS rates take effect?

The updated SMS rates take effect on July 6, 2026.

Who is affected by this pricing update?

This update affects HighLevel users who send or receive SMS messages in the listed international destinations.

Do I need to update anything manually?

No. The new rates will apply automatically on July 6, 2026.

Are all countries affected?

No. Only select international destinations are affected by this update.

Why is HighLevel changing SMS pricing?

The pricing changes reflect increased carrier and messaging provider costs required to maintain reliable SMS delivery worldwide.

Does this affect local SMS pricing?

Based on this update, the changes apply to select international destinations only.

Should agencies notify their clients?

Yes, if clients send or receive international SMS in affected countries, it is a good idea to notify them before the pricing update takes effect.

What should businesses do now?

Businesses should review their international SMS usage, check automation workflows, and make sure SMS is being used for high-value communication.