Reach customers across borders reliably with Infobip’s international SMS service
Use a single international SMS API to reach 190+ countries through 800+ direct operator connections. Built to scale with redundancy, failover, and real-time analytics so you stay in control, even at peak traffic.
What is international SMS?
International SMS is an application-to-person (A2P) SMS sent across country borders. Unlike domestic SMS, it crosses multiple networks and regulatory frameworks, so sender IDs, consent, and routing must align with each country’s rules to maintain delivery and trust.
Key features and benefits of Infobip’s platform
Global reach with local expertise
Reliability and performance at scale
Built-in compliance
Developer-friendly integration
End-to-end visibility
Infobip is a great partner because of their ability to keep up with our global growth and provide the type of service we need to meet our users’ demands.
Yoon Jung
Procurement Manager, Uber
Supporting all use cases
Promotional SMS
Share offers, discounts, and product launches instantly to a global audience through Infobip’s international SMS service.
SMS 2FA
Protect your customers’ accounts with SMS 2FA (two-factor authentication) or SMS OTP and boost security.
Transactional SMS
Set up automated SMS flows, like welcome text messages, order confirmations, updates, and more.
SMS reminders
Ensure your customers never forget important dates or appointments by sending text reminders over SMS.
SMS notifications
Keep your international customers informed with timely updates about important events and processes.
SMS marketing
Create impactful international SMS campaigns tailored to each audience.
How international SMS works
Steps to get started with Infobip
Get started with international SMS by following this simple step-by-step process.
1. Set up your account
Create your workspace, choose HTTP/S or SMPP, and get credentials so your app can call the SMS API.
2. Choose your sender
Pick long code, short code, toll-free, or alphanumeric based on your target countries and whether you need two-way replies. US and Canada typically require dedicated registration.
3. Validate coverage and rules
Check country availability, local compliance requirements, and quiet hours before launch to avoid filtering.
4. Format numbers correctly
Normalize your database and remove invalid entries to improve delivery rates and reduce waste.
5. Send a test message
Verify delivery, encoding, and routing with a small batch before scaling. Use real-time analytics and reporting to confirm results.
6. Enable delivery reports
Set up pull or push callbacks to your endpoint so you can monitor outcomes, track errors, and optimize in production.
What to keep in mind
Here are some key things you should consider when sending international SMS.
Country-by-country constraints & routing challenges
Sender ID types and registration
Encoding, segmentation and message composition rules
Deliverability and optimization
Messaging costs & rates
Frequently asked questions about international SMS
In business SMS messaging (A2P), international SMS refers to text messages sent through a web platform or SMS API to recipients in other countries. These messages are delivered via an A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging provider, like Infobip, which connects to mobile carriers around the world. To learn more, read our guide on getting started with SMS.
International SMS is commonly used for customer notifications, marketing campaigns, two-factor authentication (2FA), and transactional updates, enabling businesses to connect with audiences worldwide.
SMS is a highly effective way to reach international customers because it is compatible with virtually all mobile devices and does not require internet connectivity, ensuring reliable message delivery across different countries and regions.
The cost of an international SMS service depends on factors like the destination country, message volume, sender type, and specific use case. We offer flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing for SMS, allowing you to sign up for free and top up your account as needed. For detailed pricing tailored to your international messaging needs, feel free to contact our team.
Absolutely. The type of number you can use to send international SMS depends on the country where you want to register the sender. Infobip can assist you with the entire registration process, ensuring compliance and seamless messaging in any country you choose.
Infobip supports three types of sender IDs: virtual long numbers (e.g., 385981234567), alphanumeric sender IDs (e.g., InfoSMS), and short codes (e.g., 123456). Each type has different features, costs, and registration requirements based on local regulations.
Yes. Infobip helps you navigate local compliance regulations, ensuring your messages meet all legal requirements. Learn more about SMS coverage and country requirements here.
Common causes include unregistered or disallowed sender IDs, prohibited content, missing opt-in/opt-out, quiet-hour violations, or template/signature mismatches. Read about SMS deliverability and compliance guidelines here.