USSD Reverse Billing

Reverse Billed USSD allows brands and organisations to create a USSD service that is free to the consumer.

Our Reverse Billed 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.

 

Why use Reverse Billed USSD?

  1. Free to the consumer or staff member
  2. Consumer does not need airtime to participateSimple, clear navigational menus
  3. Works on all mobile handsets
  4. Works on all cellular networks
  5. Familiar to the majority of South Africans as it is used for recharging airtime, mobile banking and "Please Call Me" messages
  6. Rapid Implimentation

 

USSD Use Cases

  1. Qualitative mobile surveys
  2. Mobile banking
  3. Balance checking
  4. Interactive consumer competitions
  5. Gamification of brand campaigns
  6. Creating opt-in databases of consumers
  7. 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

  1. Costs: R0.20 per 20 seconds which is reverse billed to the brand. This cost can also be carried by the consumer.
  2. Network time outs range from 3-5 minutes.
  3. Characters are limited to 160, just like SMS.
  4. 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.