In this article, CommsHub presents a case study of how a major digital platform handling 13 million monthly SMS messages reduced messaging waste, saved €63,341 in one month, and improved delivery rates and user retention through automated number verification and smart routing.
For high-volume digital platforms, messaging is one of the largest operational expenses. Delivering millions of service notifications, security alerts and promotional messages each month requires significant financial investment. However, a close look at campaign analytics often reveals a quiet drain on resources: tens of thousands of dollars spent on messages that never had a chance of reaching a real user.
Here is how a major digital platform handling 13 million monthly SMS messages eliminated non-valid traffic, cut operational costs by €63,341 in a single month, and improved core user retention metrics using CommsHub.
The client operated a large international digital platform with traffic distributed globally. Their monthly volume stood at 13 million SMS messages, covering three core categories: registration/2FA OTPs, promotional campaigns and customer support notifications.
Despite substantial spend, two clear issues were pulling down overall efficiency:
Paying for Dead Numbers: A noticeable portion of messages was consistently sent to inactive or non-existent mobile numbers. Traditional reporting marked them simply as “undelivered,” but charges still applied.
Vendor Dependence: The platform relied on single-provider routes in key markets. Whenever a local network experienced issues, delivery rates dropped sharply, directly impacting user activity.
Failed OTPs meant users could not complete registration or verify transactions, while missed promotional messages reduced campaign response rates.
The Solution: Database Cleaning and Smart Routing
To address these issues, CommsHub introduced a two-part optimization approach:
Automated HLR Verification: Before sending any message, CommsHub executed automated Home Location Register (HLR) checks. This step verified number activity in real time, stopping messages from being sent to invalid contacts and immediately saving budget.
Multi-Provider Cascading: Traffic was connected to CommsHub’s marketplace of 30+ verified providers. Smart routing was configured with fallback logic: if a primary carrier route failed, traffic automatically shifted to a backup route.
In the first month alone, the platform ran 13.3 million number validation checks through CommsHub. The system identified and blocked 414,826 invalid message attempts, preventing wasted budget while improving delivery accuracy across all message types.
OTP Notifications: 2.6M checks run | 213.5k invalid blocked | €30,899 saved Marketing Campaigns: 7.8M checks run | 92.6k invalid blocked | €15,554 saved
Customer Support: 2.95M checks run | 108.7k invalid blocked | €16,888 saved
Core Impact:
Monthly Savings: €63,341 (projected annual savings of over €750,000)
Delivery Rate: Increased by +7%
7-Day Retention: Improved by +4.5%
Reactivation Success: Increased by +3%
Lost User Rate: Reduced by -12%
By cleaning the subscriber database and ensuring redundant delivery paths, the platform made its user funnel predictable and stopped revenue leaks at registration and re-engagement stages.
Unnecessary messaging spend often hides behind standard delivery reports. Whether through automated database validation or hybrid routing (combining SMS with Flash Calls where appropriate), CommsHub helps digital operators trim waste and secure reliable delivery.
Want to review whether you spend millions sending SMS to inactive contacts and see how much your platform could save? Meet the CommsHub team in person at SiGMA World in Rome. Drop by Booth H1-1047 in Hall 1 – we look forward to connecting, analyzing your routes, and discussing practical options for your business.

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