T-Mobile Announces New 2026 A2P SMS Pass-Through Fees

Updated: Dec. 23, 2025 - This post was updated to reflect additional T-Mobile A2P fee details announced after initial publication.

T-Mobile has announced updated A2P SMS pass-through fee changes effective January 19, 2026, impacting Short Code, 10DLC, and Toll-Free messaging.

Below is a quick summary of the upcoming adjustments:

Short Code MO fees are unchanged, while 10DLC and Toll-Free SMS MO fees are set at $0.0025 per message.

What This Means for Software Platforms

A2P messaging costs continue to rise industry-wide as carriers adjust policies to manage traffic quality and network demands. While the per-message increases may appear small, they add up quickly for platforms powering high-volume SMS flows—especially during peak seasons like tax, political, retail, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

Key implications:

• Higher MT costs across all SMS channels (Short Code, 10DLC, Toll-Free)
• Standardized MO fees across Toll-Free and 10DLC, simplifying inbound cost structures
• Greater emphasis on message efficiency and deliverability to avoid unnecessary spend
• More important than ever to ensure throughput strategies prevent T-Mobile daily-limit failures, which now cost even more whenever a message is dropped and must be reattempted

How Telgorithm Helps Offset Rising Carrier Fees

While carrier fee increases are outside any provider’s control, how efficiently your messages move through the ecosystem is within your control—if you use the right technology.

Telgorithm helps software platforms combat rising fees through:

1. Patented Smart Queueing

Smart Queueing technology proactively adapts to T-Mobile’s strict daily limits to prevent rate-limit failures. Fewer failures = fewer redeliveries = lower cost and higher deliverability.

2. Expert 10DLC Registration & Compliance Support

Proper registration reduces vetting delays, lowers risk scores, and improves deliverability,  ensuring you’re not paying carrier fees for messages that don’t make it through.

3. Real-Time Insights & Throughput Controls 

Telgorithm surfaces the exact throughput you're approved for so your platform can avoid costly congestion patterns using its patented Smart Queueing technology.

4. Transparent Pass-Through Billing

Carrier fees are passed through in real-time without hidden markups, so you always know exactly what you’re paying for (and there are no end-of-month surprises). 

Preparing for January 2026

If your platform sends SMS via T-Mobile handsets, now is the right time to:

• Review expected 2026 messaging volume
• Forecast cost changes
• Ensure all Campaigns are properly registered
• Validate throughput strategies—especially T-Mobile daily caps
• Evaluate whether your current vendor is providing adequate protection against carrier failures

As fees rise, small inefficiencies become big expenses.

Want help planning for 2026?

Telgorithm can help you forecast cost impact and optimize your messaging architecture to reduce unnecessary spend. Speak with our team to get a personalized cost impact assessment.