The same thing is unfortunately happening in the US. I would assume that iphone to iphone communication over imessage also does not go through traditional sms.
I would love to introduce you to every one of the group sms monstrosities that arise every time my children join a new activity. Why do people insist on doing this?
Explain more — there are a ton of services that manage this problem. Or are you speaking to those services, aka “the team has practice at 3pm tomorrow” texts?