# What is an SMS aggregator?

> An SMS aggregator is a company that connects to mobile operators and resells that connectivity to businesses, so enterprises can reach many networks through one relationship instead of contracting each operator. Aggregators route A2P traffic, handle sender-ID and compliance, and pass back delivery receipts. The key distinction is whether an aggregator holds direct operator agreements or resells another party's routes.

- Canonical URL: https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-sms-aggregator
- Language: en
- Last reviewed: 2026-07-22
- Publisher: BroadNet (https://www.broadnet.me)

## What it does

It maintains interconnections to operators, routes each message to the right network, manages sender IDs and compliance, and returns delivery receipts — the connectivity layer beneath your SMS API. See /answers/what-is-a-sms-gateway and /answers/what-is-a2p-monetization.

## Direct vs tiered aggregation

A direct aggregator holds its own operator agreements; a tiered one buys routes from another aggregator and resells them, adding hops and reducing control over deliverability. Ask how many hops sit between the API and the operator. See /answers/what-is-grey-route-sms.

## Aggregator vs CPaaS

Historically aggregators sold wholesale SMS termination; CPaaS added developer APIs and more channels. Today the terms overlap. See /answers/what-is-cpaas and /answers/how-to-choose-sms-provider.

## Related

- [All answers](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [Glossary](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [What is a direct operator connection?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-direct-operator-connection)
- [What is an SMS gateway?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-a-sms-gateway)
- [How do I migrate to a new SMS provider?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/how-to-migrate-sms-provider)
- [What is CPaaS?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-cpaas)
- [What is a grey route in SMS?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-grey-route-sms)
- [How do I choose an SMS provider?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/how-to-choose-sms-provider)
- [Operator routes](https://www.broadnet.me/operators)
- [A2P SMS](https://www.broadnet.me/products/a2p-sms)