Communication routes are the paths that connect different points, facilitating the circulation of different vehicles.
A path is a conduit, trail, access or road , whether physical or symbolic. Communication , on the other hand, refers to the process of transmitting a message , which is generated by a sender and destined for a receiver.
The concept of communication routes can be used in two ways: referring to the roads that allow the movement of vehicles or referring to the medium that allows a message to be sent to another person/people.
Communication routes as paths
In the first case, we can say that communication routes are streets , avenues , routes ( highways ), motorways , bridges and tunnels , to name a few infrastructures that allow certain types of transport to circulate. The idea of communication route includes waterways that are navigable (and that, therefore, allow journeys to be covered by boats).
If a person plans to drive from his home to a football stadium, he will have to choose the most convenient routes. For example, he can drive along street X until he reaches avenue Y , then continue along avenue Y until he reaches avenue W , and finally complete the journey via the latter route.
Contact information
The notion of a communication channel , on the other hand, is associated with those media that allow messages to be transmitted . The hosts of a television programme can invite viewers to send them their opinions on a topic through various communication channels: a telephone number, an email address, a Facebook page or a Twitter account, for example; all of these media are communication channels.
In order for a message to successfully travel the path from its sender to its receiver, it is necessary to take into account several issues. Let us not forget that communication is the basis of organization in society , and this applies to any animal species.
Those systems and resources that enable the exchange of messages can be called communication channels.
Effectiveness and efficiency of communication channels
So, let's look at some of the most important aspects of effective and efficient communication channels:
* variety : as mentioned in a previous paragraph, nowadays humans have a large number of different communication channels, among which instant messaging applications, social networks and mobile telephony stand out. The greater the variety , the greater the chances that the message will reach its destination, since if one of the alternatives fails, another can be tried;
* quality : this point is relative, since in order to judge the quality of a communication channel it is necessary to place it in its context and analyze the potential anomalies. For example, while a wired connection between two telephone terminals can be considered of poor quality if it is not adequately insulated or if there are sections that are too deteriorated, an instant messaging application should be analyzed for its encryption algorithm, the presence of invasive advertising or the options it offers to the user;
* accessibility : especially in the field of communications through technological means, it is very important to consider the possibilities of the interlocutors before choosing or developing a means of communication, so that all participants can take advantage of it. In this case, we are talking about both economic issues (that it is not offered at a very high price, or that it is free) and health issues (that it does not exclude those individuals with physical or mental disabilities, whenever possible).
In addition to the three points set out above, a communication channel is effective when it respects the characteristics and limitations of its context , at a social, geographic, economic and historical level. To do so, it is necessary to start from a clear and coherent objective, which is adapted to the needs and does not attempt to cover more than is possible.