How to Send International SMS ? A Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses

How to send international SMS — that’s a question every growing business asks once they start getting customers from outside their home country.

If you want to reach people instantly across borders, send OTPs, or promote your products worldwide, international SMS is still one of the fastest and most reliable ways to do it.

In this guide, you’ll learn what international SMS is, how it works, how to send it step-by-step, how much it costs, and the best platform to use.

What Is International SMS?

International SMS means sending a text message from one country to a phone number in another country. It allows businesses to communicate globally — whether to send alerts, verification codes, updates, or marketing offers.

Simple Example:

If your business is in India, and you want to send an SMS to a customer in the USA, that’s an international SMS.

Used for:

• OTPs (banks, apps, websites)

• Promotional messages (sales, offers)

• Notifications (delivery updates, flight alerts)

• Alerts (fraud detection, security updates)

Fact: Over 5 billion people worldwide still use SMS — making it one of the most universal ways to communicate. (Source: GSMA, 2024)

Why Businesses Send International SMS

SMS may feel old-school, but it’s incredibly effective. Here’s why international SMS is so valuable for businesses:

1. Instant Delivery – Messages reach any phone in seconds.

2. High Open Rate – Around 98% of SMS messages are opened.

3. No Internet Needed – Works on all phones, even without data.

4. Trusted by Customers – SMS is official, unlike random WhatsApp numbers.

5. Global Reach – Connect with customers in 190+ countries.

👉 Want to reach customers worldwide? Try Siratel’s International SMS Platform.

You may also like – What is WhatsApp Business API? Features, Benefits, and Use Cases

How International SMS Works (In Simple Words)

International SMS works through an SMS Gateway — a system that connects your message to telecom networks across countries.

Here’s what happens behind the scenes:

1. You type your message on your SMS platform (like Siratel).

2. The message goes to an SMS Gateway.

3. The gateway picks the best network route for the destination country.

4. The message is delivered to your customer’s phone in seconds.

Simple Flow:

Sender → SMS Gateway → Telecom Network → Receiver

So when you send an SMS from India to the US, your message travels securely through global telecom routes managed by your service provider.

Step-by-Step: How to Send International SMS

This is the part you came for — here’s exactly how to send international SMS the right way.

Quick Answer:

To send international SMS, choose a trusted SMS provider, verify your sender ID, upload contacts with country codes, type your message, test it, and send or schedule your campaign.

Let’s go step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Reliable SMS Provider

Start with a platform that supports global messaging and offers strong delivery rates.

Siratel is built for that — with 99.99% uptime, 1700+ TPS throughput, Reliable routes, secure delivery, global reach, and delivery to 190+ countries.

✅ Enterprise-grade routes, real-time delivery reports, and easy integration with CRMs or APIs.

If you want to know how such communication systems work, check out

👉 What Is CPaaS and How It Works – it explains how platforms like Siratel connect businesses and customers through APIs.

Step 2: Register Your Account

• Sign up on your provider’s platform (Siratel has a quick setup).

• Complete KYC and business verification.

• Get access to your dashboard.

Once verified, you can start sending SMS right away.

Step 3: Add Sender ID

Sender ID is the name or number that shows up when someone receives your SMS.

Examples:

• “SIRATEL”

• “INFO”

• “SHOPIT”

📌 Note: Some countries have rules about sender IDs (e.g., numeric only). Your provider will help you comply.

Step 4: Upload Contact List with Country Codes

Each international SMS must include a country code before the number.

Upload your contacts as a CSV or Excel file — or use your CRM integration.

Step 5: Write Your Message

Keep it short and clear. Avoid special symbols or long links that may break delivery.

Example message (160 characters):

“Hi John, your order #1456 has been shipped. Track here: bit.ly/track1456 — Siratel Team.”

✅ Best Practice: Keep promotional messages under 160 characters and add opt-out info if required by local laws. Use personalized templates for better engagement.

Step 6: Send Test SMS

Before you send in bulk, send a test to your own number or colleague’s phone in another country.
Check:

• Message format

• Sender ID

• Timing

Step 7: Send or Schedule Campaign

Once everything looks good, send to your full list or schedule it for later (for example, local time in the customer’s country).

💡 Pro Tip: Siratel’s platform lets you schedule messages, use templates, and view delivery analytics in real time.

Read Also – International SMS Provider

How Much Does It Cost to Send International SMS

International SMS cost depends on where you’re sending, message type, and delivery route.

Note: Pricing also depends on delivery quality (premium vs. grey routes).

✅ Siratel offers country-wise pricing sheets and volume-based discounts for businesses.

👉 Get a Custom Quote for International SMS Pricing

Best Platform to Send International SMS

Siratel is one of the best international SMS platforms for businesses that want high delivery rates, global reach, and real-time analytics.

Why Choose Siratel?

• 3 Billion+ monthly messages

• ISO 9001:2015 certified infrastructure

• 1700+ TPS throughput

• 99.99% uptime guarantee

• 24/7 technical support

• Global delivery to 190+ countries

• Secure APIs and CRM integration

Siratel’s platform is built for businesses that want scalability, reliability, and transparency — whether you send 100 or 100,000 messages daily.

If you’re using RCS, check this comparison:

👉 RCS vs SMS: What’s Better for Your Business — it helps you decide when to use SMS vs. modern rich messaging.

📈 Tips to Ensure Your International SMS Gets Delivered

To make sure your international SMS is delivered, use a reliable provider, follow country rules, and test before bulk sending.

Here’s what you can do:

✅ Always include correct country codes
✅ Keep your message under 160 characters
✅ Avoid spammy words like “Free!!!” or “Click now!”
✅ Respect time zones when scheduling
✅ Use premium routes for better delivery
✅ Send test messages before going live

Example:

Instead of “FREE OFFER!!! CLICK HERE NOW”, say — “Special offer: Get 20% off till Sunday. Shop now at www.siratel.com.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even big brands make these errors:

❌ Sending messages without country codes
❌ Using unreliable SMS routes
❌ Ignoring opt-out laws (TRAI, GDPR, etc.)
❌ Using long or complex sender IDs
❌ Not testing message delivery

💡 Remember: a few paisa saved on poor routes can cost you hundreds in lost conversions.

Real Example: Global eCommerce Brand

An Indian eCommerce company used Siratel’s international SMS API to send order updates and OTPs to customers in 15+ countries.

Results in 30 days:

Result: Faster delivery, lower cost, and happier customers.

This shows how the right platform makes all the difference.

Legal & Compliance Notes

Before sending international SMS, remember:

• Follow country rules (TRAI, GDPR, TCPA, etc.)

• Get user consent for promotional messages

• Use opt-out options (“Reply STOP to unsubscribe”)

• Avoid using banned words or political content

Siratel helps ensure your campaigns meet global SMS regulations automatically.

How CPaaS Makes International Messaging Easy

CPaaS (Communication Platform as a Service) lets businesses automate calls, messages, and notifications using cloud APIs.

If you’re curious how this works behind the scenes, read

👉 Siratel Voice Solutions Overview — it shows how SMS, IVR, and voice tech combine to improve customer engagement.

How to Build Trust with Your SMS Campaigns

Customers trust messages when they know they’re real. That’s why many brands also verify their identity on apps like Truecaller.

Learn how to do it here: How to Get Verified Badge on Truecaller

How to Send International SMS Using API

Siratel provides an easy-to-use SMS API that connects with your CRM, app, or website. It automates messages like OTPs, alerts, or payment reminders. Just a few lines of code and your system can send thousands of messages instantly.

Conclusion

How to send international SMS? It’s simple when you use the right tools.

Choose a reliable platform, verify your sender ID, upload numbers with country codes, type your message, test, and send.

What this really means: You don’t need to be a tech expert to talk to customers across borders. A few clicks and you’re live.

📲 Ready to start sending SMS worldwide?

Book a Free Demo with Siratel or Contact Us to get your free test credits today.

Reach your customers anywhere — fast, safe, and reliable.