SMS basics
What is bulk SMS, and how does it work in Bangladesh?
By the Amar SMS team6 min read
Quick answer
Bulk SMS means sending one text message to many mobile numbers at once, from a web dashboard, an Excel upload or an API. Businesses in Bangladesh use it for order updates, OTP codes, alerts and offers. It reaches every operator and every phone, with no internet or app needed, and costs from ৳0.29 per SMS.
Key takeaways
- One message, many recipients: sent from a dashboard, a spreadsheet or code.
- Works on every mobile phone, including feature phones, with no internet or app.
- Three types: non-masking (from a number), masking (from your brand name) and OTP (priority codes).
- You pay per SMS part, from ৳0.29 per SMS for non-masking.
- Send only to people who know your business or agreed to hear from you.
Bulk SMS in plain words
Bulk SMS is a service that lets a business send the same text message to hundreds, thousands or lakhs of mobile numbers in one go. Instead of typing each SMS on a phone, you upload a contact list or call an API, and an SMS provider delivers the messages through the mobile operators.
It is also called an SMS gateway service, business SMS or A2P (application-to-person) SMS.
How bulk SMS works, step by step
- 1
You write the message
In Bangla or English, in the dashboard or through the SMS API.
- 2
You choose the recipients
Paste numbers, upload Excel or CSV, or pick a saved contact group.
- 3
The provider sends it
The SMS gateway passes each message to the right operator: Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Airtel or Teletalk.
- 4
Phones receive it
The message arrives as a normal SMS, from a number or from your brand name.
- 5
You see the delivery report
Each number is marked delivered, pending or failed, in real time.
The three types of bulk SMS
| Type | Sender shows | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-masking SMS | A regular number | ৳0.29 | Offers, notices, large campaigns |
| Masking SMS | Your brand name | ৳0.49 | Order updates, alerts, trust |
| OTP SMS | Number or brand name | ৳0.35 | Login and payment codes |
Not sure which to use? Read masking vs non-masking SMS.
What businesses in Bangladesh use bulk SMS for
- E-commerce and F-commerce: order confirmations, delivery updates, cash-on-delivery OTP, Eid and sale offers.
- Education: exam results, holiday notices and fee reminders to guardians.
- Healthcare: appointment reminders and report-ready alerts.
- Banks and fintech: OTP codes and transaction alerts.
- NGOs, events and politics: awareness messages and invitations across districts.
See ready-to-copy examples in Bangla SMS templates.
Why SMS still works
- Every phone gets it. Feature phones and smartphones alike, with no app to install.
- No internet needed. SMS arrives over the mobile network, even where data is weak or expensive.
- It gets seen. An SMS shows on the lock screen and stays in the inbox.
- It's simple to send. One upload or one API call reaches your whole list.
How much does bulk SMS cost?
You pay per SMS part sent. With Amar SMS, non-masking costs ৳0.29 to ৳0.35 per SMS and masking ৳0.49 to ৳0.58, depending on how much you recharge. One Bangla SMS holds 70 characters, so a longer message costs 2 or more parts (character limits).
| Recipients | Non-masking (৳0.31) | Masking (৳0.52) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | ৳3,100 | — |
| 50,000 | ৳15,500 | ৳26,000 |
See every plan on the price list.
Sending bulk SMS the right way
- Send only to customers and people who agreed to receive your messages.
- Keep promotions clearly separate from OTP and account alerts.
- Say who the message is from, ideally with a masking name.
- Tell people how to stop receiving offers.
- Never send fraud, adult or abusive content; providers and operators block it.
