How is SMS / text messaging usage monitored and billed?

SMS messaging is included in PhoneBurner Premium accounts as part of the vPhone feature. SMS messages should only be sent if your contact has already agreed to receive SMS from you via an approved opt in method.

Once you select a dedicated vPhone number, and your compliance form has been completed/approved.  you can send and receive text messages. Texting is available from several places in the product.

1. The vPhone "Messages" tab
2. The "SMS" tab of any contact record
3. During dial sessions from the "SMS" tab or using disposition buttons

SMS usage and billing guidelines:

Any vPhone-enabled account includes 1,000 outbound and unlimited inbound text messages per calendar month. A SMS message segment is 160 characters (80 characters if you use emojis in the message). Each segment counts toward the 1000 monthly outbound limit. Unused messages do not rollover to the following month. Outbound messages can not be shared or pooled between users.

Overages for outbound messages are billed at a rate of $15 per additional 1,000 messages.

To avoid interruption of service, charges are billed immediately when a number has 0 remaining messages.

Reporting for SMS messaging:

We have created several tools to help you monitor your text message usage.

Within each user's account, there is a counter at the bottom right of the message window that displays the number of outbound messages sent out of 1,000 for that month.

For team administrators, there is a Standard Report called "SMS Usage" located on the "My Team" tab that displays current message counts for every user on your team.

Additionally, a notification email will be sent when a user has 100 messages remaining, and again if/when their limit is reached and they are billed for more messages.

For more information on setting up vPhone and adding users, please view this tutorial video.

A full pricing/plan breakdown is available here.

Messaging best practices information is here.