How many SMS can you send per second?

With a campaign to ten thousand people the question is not whether it will work but how long it takes — and whether that matters.

What determines the speed

Not your connection, but the route to the operator and the limits that apply there. A good route handles hundreds of messages per second; a cheap route can be many times slower.

When it matters

For an announcement tied to a time slot: a promotion starting at noon cannot reach the last recipient at half past one. And for verification codes, which by definition must arrive immediately.

When it does not matter

For appointment reminders a day ahead or a news item. A few minutes of spread goes unnoticed.

Why spreading is sometimes smart

If your message sends people to your website or your phone, sending all at once means everything arrives at once. Deliberately spreading over half an hour keeps your own service standing — a mistake that only becomes visible at the moment it goes wrong.