Our USSD API allows developers to create their own menu structure with the use of HTTP/S and XML. A simple communication with our USSD Gateway allows for custom USSD menus and services to be rapidly created.
USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) works on all mobile phones and cellular networks.
The main advantage of USSD over SMS is that it is session based, mimicking a Mobi site experience, but working on basic, feature and smartphones with no data access required.
USSD uses numbers such as *120*716# to trigger a menu structure which is displayed on the mobile phone.
Why use USSD?
- Simple, clear navigational menus
- Works on all mobile handsets
- Works on all cellular networks
- Familiar to the majority of South Africans as it is used for recharging airtime, mobile banking and "Please Call Me" messages
- Rapid Implimentation
USSD Use Cases
- Qualitative mobile surveys
- Mobile banking
- Balance checking
- Interactive consumer competitions
- Gamification of brand campaigns
- Creating opt-in databases of consumers
- Mobile competitions
USSD Number Ranges
USSD comes in 3 number ranges:
- *120* Cost to the consumer 20c for every 20 seconds.
- *130* Free to the consumer, but only for airtime charging.
- *134* Free to the consumer, with the 20c for every 20 seconds reverse billed to the brand.
Technical Details
- Costs: R0.20 per 20 seconds for the consumer. This can be reverse billed to the brand.
- Network time outs range from 3-5 minutes.
- Characters are limited to 160, just like SMS.
- It works best with quantitative feedback, for example a Likert scale, where the user just has to punch in a number as a selection. Words and sentences are accepted as user input, but this can be challenging to users.
Request our API Documentation
Please contact us if you would like a copy of our documentation or a trial account.
