This article explains how to top up SMS credits for sending text messages through Arbor. It details two purchasing methods: SMS Subscription, which offers annual pricing based on student numbers, and credit top-ups that can be bought as needed. The article also covers fair usage limits, credit expiration, and tips for successful payments.
You need to have purchased SMS credits to send text messages through Arbor. You can see further details on how to see your balance, and reminders here: SMS Billing and how to check your credit balance
While emails are free to send, there is a small processing fee for SMS. To keep costs down for schools, credits need to be pre-purchased. There are two methods for purchasing credits:
- Purchasing a top-up of credits
- SMS Subscription
SMS Subscription
With an Arbor SMS Subscription, you pay yearly and get the benefits of an ongoing subscription, including cheaper SMS messages than when you buy bundles, no regular top-ups (unless you use all your credits), and one annual invoice.
- For further details, please see our SMS Subscription Terms and Conditions.
- To purchase SMS Subscription, or for more information on pricing, please contact us at customersales@arbor-education.com.
SMS Subscription FAQs
How much does SMS Subscription cost?
SMS subscription is an annual subscription with a fair usage cap/limit. You can see the pricing below for each subscription.
| SMS credit limit | Annual price |
| 5,000 | £250 |
| 10,000 | £490 |
| 20,000 | £940 |
| 30,000 | £1,370 |
| 40,000 | £1,810 |
| 50,000 | £2,190 |
| 60,000 | £2,570 |
| 70,000 | £2,890 |
| 80,000 | £3,200 |
| 90,000 | £3,490 |
| 100,000 | £3,750 |
| 110,000 | £4,120 |
| 120,000 | £4,490 |
| 130,000 | £4,860 |
| 140,000 | £5,160 |
| 150,000 | £5,520 |
| 160,000 | £5,780 |
| 170,000 | £6,030 |
| 180,000 | £6,260 |
| 190,000 | £6,490 |
| 200,000 | £6,720 |
| 210,000 | £7,050 |
| 220,000 | £7,380 |
| 230,000 | £7,560 |
| 240,000 | £7,740 |
Not sure which subscription you need? Get in touch, and our Customer Team can recommend a subscription based on your student numbers.
What happens if we hit our fair usage limit?
Depending on the subscription your school has purchased, your school will have a different fair usage limit. This is roughly 2.5 SMS credits per student per week.
You can still send text messages. You will need to purchase an SMS bundle to continue sending SMS messages. Your credits will renew on your annual contract date.
Do we get a warning when we're approaching the limit?
Just as with purchased bundles, you can view your balance on the SMS Billing page.
We'll also send you emails to let you know if you're running low: Email reminders to top up SMS credits
Can credits be rolled over?
Your fair usage limit will reset each year. Credits will expire at the end of each subscription year.
This means that if you choose not to renew SMS Subscription, you will lose any remaining credits on your site that were part of your SMS subscription. Any credits purchased as a bundle will remain.
SMS Top-ups
To top up your credits, go to School > Communication > Setup > SMS Billing and select the amount of credits you wish to purchase. The larger the top-up, the lower the cost of each message. The top-ups we offer (for most of our schools) are:
- 50,000 for £2590
- 10,000 for £590
- 1000 for £59
Please note that some schools may see different pricing in the MIS due to contractual differences. You would pay the amount shown in your school's MIS.
Once the top-up is added to your basket, click 'Checkout' and select your preferred method of payment.
Credits purchased by Debit/Credit Card will be instantly added to your account, while other payment methods require processing:
- Direct Debits will take 3-5 working days
- Bank Transfers will take 2 working days
- Cheques will take 7 working days (from the date the cheque has been delivered)
- Invoices will take 2 working days
Top tips to prevent your payment from being declined
If you aren't able to purchase SMS credits with your card, make sure:
- You enter an approval code
- You open the banking app and approve the payment (if prompted)
- The card is set up to allow online purchases
- The card is not blocked
Downloading an Invoice for an SMS Bundle Purchase
You can download an invoice for SMS Top ups purchased within Arbor by going to School > Communications > Setup > SMS Billing and clicking on Billing History.
This will show you the school's SMS Purchase History. Select the purchase for which you want to download an invoice. A slide-over window will appear on the right with details of the payment. Click Download Invoice.
Please note that the invoice does not include details of who purchased the SMS credits.
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