Getting Started with Routes in Telerivet
In Telerivet, a route is how your message travels. It connects your account to the outside world through SMS, WhatsApp, Viber, RCS or any supported channel and determines how each message is delivered.
Messages are what you send. Contacts are who you send them to. Routes are how they get there.
This guide introduces what routes are, why they matter, and how to choose and manage them effectively.
Why routes matter
Every message needs a delivery path. Routes tell Telerivet where to send messages and how to deliver them. Without a route, messages cannot move between your project and your audience.
Telerivet routes give you flexibility and control so you can:
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Connect to any channel: SMS, WhatsApp, Viber, or your own API
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Scale globally: use different routes for different countries or networks
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Stay reliable: switch routes when coverage changes or rates hike
Manage costs: track usage and daily costs per route, country, or message type
- Stay compliant: set quiet hours, regional restrictions, and number validation rules
Routes form the foundation of reliable communication. They ensure every message is delivered smoothly, wherever your audience is.
How routes work in Telerivet
A route is the connection between Telerivet and a sending or receiving service.
When you send a message, Telerivet automatically uses the selected route to deliver it. Some routes can also receive incoming messages.
Here are the most common route types:
| Route Type | What it connects to | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Android Phone | Uses your phone’s SIM card to send SMS messages | Local or low-volume messaging |
| Hosted Number or Shortcode | Connects through an SMS gateway or telecom provider | High-volume or two-way business messaging |
| WhatsApp Integration | Uses a verified WhatsApp Business API connection | Conversational messaging and customer support |
| Custom API or Webhook | Sends or receives messages through your own infrastructure | Advanced routing or regional integrations |
| Viber or Other Channels | Connects to partner messaging apps or APIs | Reaching audiences on specific chat platforms |
| RCS Messaging | Rich Communication Services with verified sender IDs | Rich media updates and enhanced SMS alternatives |
You can manage multiple routes in one project or share routes across several projects if your organization runs operations in different regions.
Learn more in the Introduction to Routes guide.
Choosing the right route
Different organizations use routes differently, depending on scale, location, and channel preference.
Here are some examples to help you decide what works best for your setup:
| Goal | Recommended Setup |
|---|---|
| Local impact outreach or time sensitive field operations | Connect an Android phone or local SIM for easy, low-cost SMS delivery |
| National or high-volume programs | Use a hosted SMS number or aggregator route for consistent throughput |
| Multi-country or cross-channel messaging | Combine routes for SMS, WhatsApp, or Viber within one workflow |
| Custom integrations or APIs | Create a custom route for advanced delivery control or regional gateways |
As your needs grow, you can add more routes or switch between them without rebuilding your workflows or campaigns.
Managing your routes
Your Routes tab shows all active connections and their status. From here, you can see which routes are online, check last activity, and make adjustments as needed.
You can:
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View each route’s details and usage
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Set a default route for outgoing messages
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Pause, update, or share routes between projects
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Monitor connection health and troubleshoot issues
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Set spending or message limits to manage monthly budgets
Recent updates make it easier to manage delivery and compliance directly from your route settings. You can now:
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Block invalid phone numbers to prevent undeliverable messages
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Restrict sending by country or region to stay compliant with local messaging rules
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Set quiet hours to avoid sending messages at inappropriate times
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Receive a confirmation prompt when transactional broadcasts might extend into quiet hours
These settings help teams operate responsibly and maintain high delivery quality across channels.
For detailed steps, see:
Advanced routing and customization
Telerivet offers custom routes for organizations that need more control over how messages are delivered. Custom routes can help you:
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Improve reliability: automatically switch to another route if one connection fails
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Reduce costs: choose the most efficient route for each network or region
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Manage scale: spread messages across multiple routes to prevent delays
They are especially useful if your organization uses multiple shortcodes, business IDs, or messaging channels and wants Telerivet to automatically choose the best, fastest, or most cost-efficient path for each message. You can also set routing logic to vary by message type or channel (for example, promotional vs. transactional messages).
Learn more in the Defining Custom Routes guide.
If your organization is scaling or managing multiple messaging channels, our Solution Engineers can help you design the right custom routing strategy for your needs.
Connecting WhatsApp
Telerivet integrates with WhatsApp Business API providers, so you can send and receive WhatsApp messages alongside SMS and other channels. It also supports WhatsApp interactive messages like lists, flows, and location sharing so you can deliver dynamic, two-way experiences within your campaigns.
Once connected, your WhatsApp route functions like any other, letting you use the same workflows, campaigns, and automations across channels.
For setup steps, visit the WhatsApp Integration guide.
Best practice tip
Set up more than one route if you operate in multiple regions. Having a backup route improves reliability and keeps your communication running even if one network is unavailable.
For example:
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Use one way SMS route for local alerts.
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Use two way SMS route for interactive KYC campaigns.
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Use WhatsApp for image and content rich conversational engagement.