Rebecca BAug 25, 2025 3:22:03 PM3 min read

8x8 Expands UC SMS Capabilities in Australia: A Smarter Way to Connect

Staying connected with customers has never been more important. In a digital-first world, businesses need to meet their audiences where they are, and for many Australians, that’s still SMS. Recognising this, 8x8 is introducing a powerful new enhancement to its unified communications (UC) platform: the ability to send and receive SMS from Australian mobile numbers.

Effective 2 September 2025, this update is available to eligible 8x8 Work users in Australia and is designed to simplify communication, improve engagement, and strengthen the platform’s competitive position in the local market.

What’s New: UC SMS from Australian Mobile Numbers

With this update, Australian customers using 8x8 Work will be able to send and receive one-to-one domestic SMS using mobile numbers in the +61 4xx xxx xxx format. The feature is supported across X Series licenses (X1 to X8) that are paired with the Mobile Number DID - Australia license.

This enhancement reflects direct feedback from partners and customers who wanted a more streamlined, native way to manage business texting without relying on third-party tools or personal devices.

Key Features & Benefits

1. Seamless Communication

Integrate SMS into your existing UC platform. No need to switch apps or devices — all your communication channels live in one place.

2. Supports Australian Mobile Numbers

Only numbers in the +61 4xx format are supported, ensuring compatibility with domestic carriers and compliance with local standards.

3. Simple Enablement

There’s no separate purchase required. Customers can self-enable the feature via the Admin Console. As long as you have an eligible license and mobile number, you’re good to go.

4. Cost-Effective Pricing

Outbound SMS: $0.065 per message
Inbound SMS: Free

Messages are billed monthly in arrears and charged per message segment, as defined at the carrier level.

5. Fully Compliant

The feature complies with Australian regulations including the Spam Act 2003 and Spam Regulations. No additional registration is required, and 8x8 ensures secure data storage aligned with its global policy.

Why This Matters for Australian Businesses

This update may seem like a small technical change — but its impact is significant.

Here’s why:

✅ Streamlined customer experience – You can use one number for voice and SMS, reducing confusion and improving response times.
✅ Improved operational efficiency – Your team can manage SMS inside the same platform they already use for calls and collaboration.
✅ More professional presence – Avoid using personal mobiles or ad-hoc tools to communicate with customers.
✅ Future-proof communications – As customer preferences shift toward quick, text-based interactions, your business stays ahead.

Whether you’re a small business sending appointment reminders, or a larger organisation wanting to improve service responsiveness, UC SMS gives you a direct, reliable way to connect.

What’s Included (and What’s Not)

Supported:

✅ One-to-one domestic SMS between Australian numbers (AU ↔ AU)

✅ +61 4xx xxx xxx number format

✅ Sending and receiving within 8x8 Work

✅ Full compliance with Australian regulations

Not supported (for now):

❌ International SMS

❌ Group SMS or MMS

❌ Messaging to or from New Zealand mobile numbers (pending carrier enablement)

❌ RCS (Rich Communication Services)

So if you’re looking for a fast, lightweight way to communicate with Australian customers, this is built for you.

Important Details & Limitations

Messaging Scope: Domestic SMS only (AU ↔ AU). International SMS, MMS, and RCS are not supported at launch.
Number Format: Only +61 4xx mobile numbers are eligible.
Prepaid Bundles: SMS usage does not count against prepaid usage bundles.
Contact Center SMS: This feature is specific to UC SMS via 8x8 Work and does not impact SMS/MMS usage for Contact Center solutions.

How to Get Started

If you’re already using 8x8 Work in Australia and have an eligible mobile number:

Log into your 8x8 Admin Console
Navigate to your user or number settings
Enable SMS on your mobile number
Start sending and receiving texts — it’s that simple.

If you’re not yet using 8x8, or you’d like to add mobile numbers to your environment, speak to us to explore options.

Final Thoughts

This enhancement is more than just a new feature, it’s part of 8x8’s ongoing commitment to innovation and customer feedback. By integrating SMS into its UC platform, 8x8 continues to offer Australian businesses a smarter, more connected way to communicate.

Ready to modernise your business communications? Contact us today to learn how 8x8 can help you stay connected and grow.