8x8 API uses the following universal object for describing the price across different APIs.

Object structure

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Please note that the Price object is optional and might not be included in the Delivery Receipts callback. When a message was not sent successfully, you will still receive Delivery Receipts with Failed/Undelivered status without incurring any charges. Hence, the price information is not available for the Delivery Receipts.

Examples of price object: SMS PriceChatApps Price

{
"price":{
"total":0.0375,
"perSms":0.0125,
"currency":"USD"
}
}

{
"price":{
"total":0.0375,
"currency":"USD"
}
}

Global Billing

Non-Conversational Billing Categories

Agents classified under Basic Message or Single Message billing categories are considered non-conversational. These agents are not billed per conversation. Instead, they are charged per message

What Is a Conversation in RBM?

In the context of Conversational billing, a conversation refers to a 24-hour window during which messages are exchanged between a user and a conversational agent. Only agents under the Conversational billing category can generate and be billed for conversations.

Types of Conversations
• A2P (Application-to-Person): Starts when the user replies to a message from the agent.
• P2A (Person-to-Application): Starts when the agent replies to a message initiated by the user.

Conversation Window
• A conversation begins when either the agent or the user responds within 24 hours to a message from the other party, and there’s no active conversation.
• The conversation remains active for the next 24 hours and includes:
• The initial message that triggered the reply
• All messages exchanged during that 24-hour period

What Initiates a Billable P2A Conversation?
It is important to understand which user (P2A) interactions are considered billable "messages" that start the 24-hour conversational session. Not all user actions from an RCS message are billable. A conversation is only initiated when the user sends a message back to the agent. Actions like opening a web page or dialing a number do not count as messages and are not billable.

The following table clarifies which common user actions will trigger a billable P2A session:

Conversation-Based Billing
• For agents with Conversational billing, charges apply per conversation session, not per message.
• This pricing model encourages rich, two-way engagement without inflating cost per interaction.

**Important Notes
** • Non-conversational agents are billed per message, not per conversation, even if replies occur.
• Billing data for conversational agents (e.g., logs and reports) may be delayed by up to 48 hours to ensure all messages in the session are accounted for before billing is finalised.

Important Billing Considerations

The RCS billing models described on this page represent the standard framework. However, the global messaging ecosystem is complex. Specific billing rules, rates, and the implementation of conversational sessions can sometimes vary depending on the destination country and the recipient's mobile network operator (MNO).

8x8 works to standardise these models for our customers, but underlying carrier policies can occasionally affect the final billing treatment.

For the most accurate and detailed billing information applicable to your specific use cases and target regions, we strongly recommend that you speak with your 8x8 Account Manager or contact our sales team. They can provide precise details and help you forecast your messaging spend effectively.

US Billing