Text messaging is metered on every ReliaRing plan. There is no monthly allowance of included messages — you pay for what you send, at the same rate on every tier.
The rate
$0.028 CAD per message segment. A picture message (MMS) counts as three segments.
Your plan price covers your phone system: users, minutes, and the features. Messaging is billed on top of it, per segment.
What a "segment" is
A segment is one 160-character text. Longer messages are split into segments, sent separately, and reassembled on the recipient's phone — and each segment is billed.
| Message | Segments | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| "Your appointment is confirmed for Tuesday at 2pm." (49 characters) | 1 | $0.028 |
| A 200-character message | 2 | $0.056 |
| A 400-character message | 3 | $0.084 |
| Any picture message | 3 | $0.084 |
Emoji and special characters change the maths. A message containing an emoji, curly quotes, or an accented character switches to a format that fits only 70 characters per segment instead of 160. One emoji can turn a one-segment message into three.
Seeing the cost before you send
As you type, the composer shows the segment count and warns you before a message becomes several segments. That estimate uses the same rate you are billed, so what you see is what you pay.
When you are charged
You are charged once our carrier has accepted the message. A message that fails to send — a wrong number, a blocked destination, a recipient who has opted out — is not billed.
Keeping the bill down
- Write for one segment. 160 characters is more than it sounds.
- Skip the emoji in anything long. They more than double the cost per character.
- Use a link instead of a paragraph. A short link beats three segments of explanation.
- Send a picture only when it earns its place. Every MMS costs about the same as a three-part text.
- Keep your lists clean. Messages to numbers that have opted out are refused, but messages to wrong numbers are still billed.
Checking your usage
Your messaging usage and remaining balance are shown in the portal, broken down by period. If your account runs on prepaid credit, messaging draws from your bundle first and then your wallet.
Read next
- Business Text Messaging: Getting Started
- SMS Templates for Faster Replies