Using VoIP and WhatsApp
If you try to register your Telebroad SMS number to WhatsApp, you will likely get an error message saying that the number is not recognized as a mobile number in the U.S. This is a common issue for VoIP numbers since only actual mobile numbers are generally accepted for registration of regular WhatsApp accounts to avoid abuse and fraud.
Porting your VoIP number to a cellphone provider may not help solve this because what is usually taken into account is the original designation of the number.
The WhatsApp Business Platform Solution
For business users, Meta (WhatsApp's parent company) offers both a business app and a business platform. The business app will not work with your Telebroad numbers because it needs to run from an actual mobile device, and a VoIP number cannot be used with it (as mentioned, porting the number will not help either.)
Instead, you need to use the WhatsApp Business Platform that provides WhatsApp Business API connectivity and can therefore work with VoIP.
The WhatsApp Business Platform's FAQ can help you decide if this is the right solution for you, but you should keep a few things in mind:
- The service is free only for your first 1000 conversations per month, after which these rates apply.
Conversations are counted with a 24-hour session cycle, initiated from the first message sent by a business or the first business reply to a customer. - You can sign up to the platform directly, but to do so, you must have a developers team that is able to set up webhooks and program API requests.
- Otherwise, you will need to work with one of Meta's approved business solution partners, who may charge additional fees. The full partners list is available here. You can search the list for "Business API" to narrow down the choices.