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BCID Pricing Explained | Branded Calling ID Costs, Carrier Fees & Pricing Models
Last Updated: November 2025
Understanding carrier fees, pricing models, and how to accurately forecast your BCID investment.
BCID pricing is determined by the wireless carriers that receive the call. Each carrier sets a fixed per-call fee for BCID-enabled traffic. When an outbound call is placed to a subscriber on a BCID-enabled carrier, that carrier charges its fee to the BCID service provider, which then passes those costs through to customers using one of two industry-standard pricing models.
BCID fees apply only to outbound calls, and charges are applied whenever a call is made, regardless of whether the recipient answers.
As more carriers adopt BCID, they publish their own per-call fees. To date, no major wireless carrier has revised its BCID pricing after initial rollout. Generally, calls delivered to Verizon subscribers cost more than calls delivered to T-Mobile subscribers.
Carrier Fee Structure
Each participating wireless carrier sets a flat per-call BCID fee. Providers do not control these fees; they simply pass along costs based on call volume and carrier mix.
| Carrier | Pricing Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Fixed per-call fee | Same fee applied to BCID traffic delivered to this network |
| Verizon | Fixed per-call fee | May differentiate between "logo" and "no-logo" versions |
| Additional carriers | Fixed per-call fee | Added as BCID support expands |
Current BCID Pricing Models (as of November 2025)
Only two BCID pricing models are in use in the industry today. Every provider aligns with one of these two approaches.
1. Flat-Rate + Monthly Minimum
This model includes:
- A monthly minimum, and
- A flat per-call rate based on the receiving carrier
Key characteristics:
- Separate per-call rates for each carrier
- Some carriers define multiple variants (e.g., Verizon logo vs. Verizon no-logo)
- Monthly minimums do not roll over
- Used to cover the fixed overhead of managing BCID for a brand
Carrier Billing Structure:
| Carrier / Variant | Billing Basis |
|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Flat per-call rate |
| Verizon (Logo) | Flat per-call rate |
| Verizon (No Logo) | Flat per-call rate |
| Future carriers | Flat per-call rate |
2. Tiered Usage Pricing
This model charges customers strictly on a per-call basis, but the per-call rate decreases as monthly volume increases.
Common structure:
- Tier 1: First block of calls
- Tier 2: Mid-range usage block
- Tier 3: High-volume usage block
Tiered Pricing Structure:
| Tier | Call Range | Billing Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Initial block | Highest per-call rate |
| Tier 2 | Mid-range usage | Moderately lower per-call rate |
| Tier 3 | High volume | Lowest per-call rate |
Volume-Based Discount Flow:
One-Time and Annual Fees
Most carriers require an initial onboarding process to activate a brand for BCID. This includes:
- Uploading a logo
- Providing call reasons / call type metadata
- Associating phone numbers with the brand profile
Because of this work, carriers typically charge a one-time or annual setup fee, usually applied per brand.
Forecasting BCID Spend
Brands can use a BCID pricing calculator to estimate monthly costs based on:
- Total outbound call volume
- Carrier distribution (e.g., percentage to Verizon vs. T-Mobile)
- Choice of pricing model (flat-rate vs. tiered)
- Setup fees and monthly minimums
This is the most accurate method for projecting BCID expenses month-to-month.
BCID Pricing FAQ
Do I get charged for a BCID call if the recipient doesn't answer?
Yes. Charges apply whenever an outbound call is made, answered or not.
Do BCID fees apply to inbound calls?
No. BCID fees apply only to outbound calls.
How does BCID billing work?
Billing depends on the provider and underlying carrier relationships. Many providers bill on a monthly cycle.
Do monthly minimums roll over?
No. Monthly minimums do not roll over. They cover ongoing overhead related to maintaining BCID for the brand.
Are there setup or activation fees for BCID?
Yes. Carriers generally require a one-time or annual setup fee due to the onboarding steps required to activate BCID for a brand.
Has BCID pricing changed since launch?
No. To date, no major wireless carrier has revised its BCID pricing since initial release.
Are some carriers more expensive than others?
Yes. Verizon BCID calls are generally more expensive than T-Mobile BCID calls.
How can brands forecast their BCID costs?
Use the BCID Pricing Calculator to model spend based on call volume and carrier distribution.
Summary
- •Carriers define their own per-call BCID fees.
- •Providers pass these fees through using one of two pricing models: Flat-Rate + Monthly Minimum or Tiered Usage.
- •Charges apply to outbound calls only, and answered vs. missed does not affect cost.
- •Monthly minimums do not roll over.
- •Setup fees are common due to brand onboarding requirements.
- •Verizon-delivered calls typically cost more than T-Mobile-delivered calls.
- •Carrier pricing has not changed since BCID was introduced.
- •Brands can forecast cost using a BCID pricing calculator.
Knowledge Source
The information in this document is based on insights from the Quality Voice & Data team, who participate in Authorized BCID Partner monthly calls and maintain ongoing discussions with other authorized BCID providers, wireless carriers, and enterprise-level customers. This direct industry engagement ensures the calculator reflects current market conditions and pricing structures.