USSD Short Code Application Overview Description: USSD Application Client: Pattern Matched Technologies (Pty) LTD System: Amber USSD PATTERN MATCHED TECHNOLOGIES 2003 2014
Document Approval Position Name Date Signature Director - CEO Markus Schorn Director - MD Henning Viljoen Director - IT Services Gustav Potgieter Document History Version Author Date Change Details 2.1 PMT/OM 2014-01-20 Updated to the new template 2.2 PMT_JFP 2014-03-26 Document Updated Copyright Pattern Matched Technologies 2014. All rights reserved. This document contains confidential and proprietary information that is the property of Pattern Matched Technologies and/or its clients. The information may not be copied, modified, circulated, distributed or used in any manner without the prior written permission of Pattern Matched Technologies. For additional copies of the document, please contact Pattern Matched Technologies.
Contents 1. Introduction... 4 1.1. Current South African Service Providers... 4 1.1.1. Vodacom... 4 1.1.2. Cell C... 4 1.1.3. Telkom Mobile... 5 1.1.4. MTN... 5 1.2. Short code Rates Explained... 5 1.2.1. Rated USSD short code... 5 1.2.2. Premium Rated USSD short code Not offered by PMT... 5 1.2.3. Zero Rated USSD short code (Electronic Recharge)... 5 1.3. Please take note of the following:... 6 1.4. PMT USSD Hosting Infrastructure... 6 2. Applying for a short code... 7 2.1. Process of applying for a short code:... 7 2.2. Application form... 7 3. APPENDIX ONE: USSD Short Code Application Form... 8 3.1. Customer detail form... 8 3.2. Code of Conduct... 9 3.2.1. Preferred USSD short codes: (list short codes in order of preference)... 9 4. Glossary... 10 Page 3 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014
1. Introduction USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a technology used by all MNO,s (Mobile Network Operator) Vodacom, Cell C and MTN to send information (usually text menus) between a mobile phone and an application on the network. USSD will allow you to request information in short codes (starting with * and ending with #), or menus from the network via your cell phone. A USSD short code/ string can be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 digits. Example of a short code: Minimum: *120* 123# Maximum: *120*1234567890# 1.1. Current South African Service Providers 1.1.1. Vodacom To apply for the short codes from Vodacom, PMT uses URL s to connect to Vodacom and there is no extra charge. Primary URL Secondary URL 1.1.2. Cell C To apply for the short codes from Cell C PMT uses URL s to connect to Cell C and there is no extra charge. Primary URL Secondary URL Page 4 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014
1.1.3. Telkom Mobile To apply for the short codes from Telkom Mobile PMT uses URL s to connect to Telkom Mobile and there is an extra charge of R1 710. 00 as per January 2014. Primary URL Secondary URL 1.1.4. MTN To apply for a short code from MTN, PMT has to apply for a new SMPP Bind, (Short Message Peer to peer Protocol). This protocol service allows USSD to connect from the WASP s switch to MTN Network (SMS/ USSD Gateway). The WASP must have a link into the MTN Network to enable this service. There is a monthly charge for hosting the bind (Please review the attached quote for up to date charges) *Currently, Cell C and Vodacom do not charge for the USSD Short codes or bind; this may change without prior warning. (For more information, Please refer to point 5 of section 1.3) 1.2. Short code Rates Explained This section of the document will describe the different types of rates that are supplied by the MNO. 1.2.1. Rated USSD short code A standard fee is collected directly from the subscriber by the MNO; the WASP does not receive additional revenue from the network. 1.2.2. Reverse Billing The reverse billing option allows corporates to pay the Fee s associated to their paid short codes on behalf of their Customers. 1.2.3. Premium Rated USSD short code Not offered by PMT Means that the WASP collects additional revenue over and above the standard rate published by the networks, and the rates start at a cost of R1.20 right up to R5.00*. Unitisation of 20 seconds is applied to these tariffs i.e. the Service User will be billed in 20- second increments. Maximum session length is 3 minutes. The WASP gets paid the content charges less any published administrative fees. The WASP sets content tariffs while the MNO sets network (i.e. bearer) tariffs. If the MNO is to bill and collect the content charges on behalf of the WASP, then the content charges must be specified within specific pre-defined tariff bands. Tariffs and pricing may vary from MNO to MNO. 1.2.4. Zero Rated USSD short code (Electronic Recharge) Zero rated short codes are exclusively on the *130* USSD prefix and is dedicated for electronic recharge. *Please note that rates from MNO s are subject to change without prior warning Page 5 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014
1.3. Please take note of the following: 1. PMT does not offer premium rated USSD services. 2. On Standard rated USSD the MNO charges the Subscriber a normal contract or Pre-Paid rates for USSD, without making financial distribution to the WASP. 3. The first three digits *120* and *130* are set by the network not by PMT. 4. Prices are determined by the MNO and may change without prior warning. 5. Currently Vodacom and Cell C do not charge for USSD short code, should they change their model, PMT has the right recover these costs. 1.4. PMT USSD Hosting Infrastructure The following diagram displays the current PMT USSD infrastructure for Primary and Failover production facilities. Vodacom MTN Telkom Mobile Cell- C PMT Gallo Manor 14th Avenue Redundant Firewall Primary link via Fibre + MPLS Secondary link via VPN Redundant Firewall Switches PMT Midrand 24 Hour a day Lithium Monitoring Switches USSD GW1 USSD GW2 24 Hour a day Lithium Monitoring - Optional Client Monitoring USSD GW3 Routers Routers Primary Links via VPN Optional Backup Links Optional Backup Links USSD A USSD B CONFIDENTIAL HOSTING ARCHITECTURE DIAGRAM FOR USSD HOSTED SERVICES Page 6 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014
2. Applying for a short code Short codes are scarce and not always available. PMT must first check the availability of the Short Code(s) being applied for, on all the MNO s. PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to apply for Short Codes on all the available MNO s your business may only require one of the MNO s available. In this case, please note this requirement in the application form. PMT reminds you however that if you do not launch your service on all the MNO s at the same time, that some other commercial service may be launched by a third party at any time in the future. 2.1. Process of applying for a short code: Check the availability (2-3 days) Test the short code (This ensures the short code is actually available) Reserve the short code (2-3 days) Activation of short code (2weeks) Test the short code (This ensures that the short code has been activated for Ready for development 2.2. Application form Please see attached USSD Short Code Application form and complete the required information. Submit the completed form to: itservices@patternmatched.com qa@patternmatched.com Page 7 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014
3. APPENDIX ONE: USSD Short Code Application Form 3.1. Customer detail form Registered Name Trading As Registration Number VAT Number Accounts Contact Person Telephone Number Fax Number E-mail Account/Operations Manager Telephone Number E-mail Managing Director Name E-mail Financial Director Name E-mail Physical Address Postal Code Postal Address Postal Code Would you like to receive e-mail reminders each month (i.e. statements) Yes No Which MNOs do you require the service to be applied for? Vodacom MTN Cell C Telkom Mobile Please give a brief explanation on the nature of the service being launched: Page 8 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014
3.2. Code of Conduct Please note: WASP Code of Conduct Rules applies for all USSD Applications, For more information regarding Code of Conduct, Please refer to http://www.waspa.org.za Important: Please give an explanation of what the nature of the service is that is being launched. Note that all WASP Code of Conduct Rules applies to all Clients applying for WASP Services, including USSD. 3.2.1. Preferred USSD short codes: (list short codes in order of preference) e.g * 120*xxx# Page 9 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014
4. Glossary For a full Glossary on Standard terms used, please refer to the following link. https://www.patternmatched.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pmt_glossary_terms_2013-08- 27_v1.1.pdf Page 10 of 10 Pattern Matched Technologies 2003-2014