USSD Service Overview

USSD Service Overview. Ka 66/C, Kuril, Badda, Dhaka Hotline: +88 01616-PLANET (752638) info@planetgroupbd.com www.planetgroupbd.com

Planet IT- USSD Center Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) allows for the transmission of information via a GSM network. Contrasting with SMS, it offers real time connection during a session. A USSD message can be upto 182 alphanumeric characters in length. Unstructured Supplementary Service Data allows interactive services between a MS and applications hosted by the Mobile Operator. These messages are composed of digits and the #, * keys, and allow users to easily and quickly get information/access services from the Operator. USSD messages are simple to form and easy to send. User can directly enter the USSD string and press call to send the message. A typical USSD message starts with a * followed by digits which indicate an action to be performed or are parameters. Each group of numbers is separated by a *, and the message is terminated with a #. The USSD gateway in turn can interact with external applications based on the USSD command. This allows access to number of value added services via USSD. USSD is a session oriented service, and can support a sequence of exchange of information. Phase 2 USSD also allows messages to be pushed onto a MS. It is several times faster than MO SMS messages since there is no store and forward of messages. The USSD gateway supports an open HTTP interface. The USSD gateway will have an interface with the MSC over SS7. It uses MAP to receive and send USSD data from the HLR. Generally the USSD functionality is implemented in the following modes: Pull Mode, will handle Mobile Initiated USSD Requests. Push Mode will handle network Initiated USSD Requests. Characteristics of USSD: A USSD message can be up to 182 alphanumeric characters in length Unlike SMS, USSD is a session oriented service Simple and easy to send. No need to go into any menus and options. Just directly entered on the default mobile screen. USSD works on all GSM handsets of Phase II or later. There will not be any latency in request and response as we experience in SMS based services The functionality will be the same even while roaming as the USSD messages always routed back to Home HLR. USSD is supported by WAP, SIM Application Toolkit and CAMEL enabling scope for many applications. Works in two modes: pull mode and push mode. Applications: USSD can be used as a WAP bearer. Used for menu based content services like news, weather, sports etc Used for prepaid callback service enabling prepaid roaming a better service Used in location based content services Used in SIM Application tool kit based applications.

Benefits For all players in the mobile and the mobile interaction industry USSDbased services can be used to give them an edge compared to the competition and this way supports their business. These are examples of the benefits of the PLANET-IT USSD Centre Mobile operators and service providers can use it to enhance the functionality for prepaid subscribers. Integrators and aggregators can use it to build a USSD-service that covers all mobile operators in a country. Content and application providers can develop and run services such as banking, result publication, quiz or chat. Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is a protocol used by GSM mobile phones to communicate with the service provider's computers. The standard can be used to create value added services for operators, service providers, and enablers in the mobile interaction industry. USSD is a mature technology that is integrated in all mobile phones. So the technology is stable and it gives the following advantages It is possible to push messages to the mobile phone The communication with the mobile phone is fast and real time It is possible to communicate with all mobile phones no matter their age and brand It can be used worldwide Architecture The PLANET-IT USSD centre enables the development and management of USSD-based applications that can enhance end user loyalty and revenue streams. Therefore integrators and aggregators, content and application providers, operators and service providers in the mobile industry can use the PLANET-IT USSD centre to enhance their product offering. As it appears below the PLANET-IT USSC Centre consists of the following elements USSC Service that manages the exchange of USSD data between the mobile phones and the application servers. USSD Gateway that provides the connection to the IP-based network which enables connection over the internet. The gateway contains application modules that enable development of applications based on an API or Soap interface Web manager that enables surveillance and support of the system The USSD service connects to the mobile networks via a SMPP gateway that can be provided by PLANET-IT as well. The developers face an API or SOAP interface.

The USSD Gateway connects to the administrators and supporters via a web interface. Developers that build applications based on the application modules face a Soap or an API interface. When applications have been developed on top of the application modules customer care and campaign managers are able to work on a web interface. A good example of USSD application is balance check. In order to check your balance you need to dial a short code like *100# and press Call. You will then immediately receive information directly on the phone s screen. This service is available in almost all networks around the world. Just like SMS, USSD is a protocol for sending text messages with the difference being that USSD messages immediately appear on the screen of the phone, and are not saves in SIM card. Just like SMS, USSD technology is easy to use, accessible from any phone and requires no special configuration.

Features Ease of use USSD interface is intuitive and accessible to any user. Any person, who has a cell phone, can easily use USSD. No special skills, no need to learn new technology. Using the USSD is no different than dialing standard telephone number for establishing the connection, so USSD is equally accessible to people of all social groups and ages. Accessible from any phone Despite the emergence of new technologies and new devices, millions of people continue to use the most ordinary GSM phones. USSD technology works on all existing GSM standard phones, regardless of manufacturer and date of manufacture, so the mobile services that are based on USSD are available to all subscribers, regardless of the cell phone model they are using. No special phone configuration To use USSD a subscriber does not need to download or install any special applications on their phone. All GSM phones are ready to work with USSD by default. Interactivity The main difference between SMS and USSD is that USSD has interactivity, which makes it far more superior. Interactivity occurs when recipient receives not just USSD message but USSD menu with a choice of possible answers. USSD technology allows you to have a dialogue with a customer in real time! This is achieved by the combination of two factors: First, in contrast to SMS you always know whether USSD message is delivered or not. Secondly, USSD-menu allows subscribers to send a new request by selecting one of the options. USSD technology is ideal for creating: Services that involve interactive structure: reference information services, banking services, the current customer service, etc. Mobile payment services: obtaining pin codes, passwords, confirmation of authorization of the transaction. Service polls: polls, quizzes, market research, etc. We specialized in USSD technology and provide platform for easy development and delivery of USSD based mobile services. The market rapidly embraces USSD, which is expected news. The technology offers clever ways for implementation of mobile services that can be available on any basic mobile phone or top tier smartphones. USSD is similar to SMS in its simplicity, but offers more interactive experience and no delay time by providing menus similar to basic applications. All that is achieved without installing any additional software. USSD based service can be accessed just by calling a dedicated number in any GSM network around the world. Visit our Global USSD website to see how some of our clients used the technology. That s just a few examples of creatively applying USSD. More people are becoming aware of it and we expect it to continue gaining momentum in the next year. It has a wide range of application, from polling and self-care services to more sophisticated usage like mobile banking. USSD can be used in logistics, it can be used to order tickets and book flights, and basically there are no limits to how it can be applied.

One thing that significantly distinguishes it from other modern technologies like NFC and the like is that it available on ALL mobile platforms. This includes not only mobile operating systems like ios, Android, Symbian and Blackberry but cheapest mobile phones that were produced ten years ago. That makes USSD based services available to any person with any mobile device. That s why it s getting more and more employed by mobile operators and various businesses and governments. The biggest mobile operator on the territory of CIS, Mobile TeleSystems with 100 million subscribers reported that the number of monthly payments via their service Easy Payment has grown more than three times over the past year. Member of the easy payment can pay for the services of about 400 suppliers, including services of mobile operators, utilities, traffic police fines, cable television, longdistance and international calls, Internet access and many other services. The most popular way to pay for goods and services is USSD command * 115 #. In August of this year, more than 90% of users used that payment method. This is just one of the successful examples of service implementation using USSD. The alert through mobile phone about the visit to the doctor is now available to all patients of Moscow clinics. The service allows booking a visit to the doctor. This free feature of informing about all the actions in the system, related to making an appointment, its cancellation or postponement, is connected by default to all patients who entered their mobile phone number. Application modules The application modules serve as an interface between the USSD Center and the applications using the USSD functionality. The specific application modules are APIs that address the specific issue. Customized modules can be made on request. Mobile banking User enter the banking service dialing e.g. *322#. PLANET-IT USSD returns the Banking menu to the mobile phone. The user types the number for the service wanted and presses the key below Answer. The application returns the menu for the choice of service made, and the interaction between bank application and user continues until transactions is performed and confirmed or the requested information has been provided. Directory (number) service. Mobile money transfer The customer sends a USSD sort code e.g. *247# to start the session. During this USSD session a premium charge can be applied to the phone bill and the customer can decide to which mobile number the amount should be transferred. The money is transferred via background applications. Mobile Result Publish The student or the guardian sends a USSD sort code or long code e.g. +442035146686 to start the session. During this USSD session no premium charge may apply. On the application menu they will provide their Exam Year followed by the Roll No to get the result immediately transferred via background applications. Push services (news, weather, sports) Initially the customer sends a USSD message to subscribe to an entertainment of information service. Then the wanted content is flashed to the mobile screen on the agreed terms. This can e.g. be used for updates on news, weather, films, sports, the currency and stock market

Pre-paid top up Call back service The customer sends a short code e.g *111*4*1* [scratch card number] # to start the prepaid top up session. Depending on the background application the customer can choose amounts and/or get a receipt of the top up. The money is transferred via background applications. The customer is abroad and wants to call a number outside the visited network. The customer sends a USSD code that triggers a call back from the home network. From here the customer can call any number as if it was from the home network. The customer saves money and the network operator captures new revenue streams. Directory service The directory service requires a back-end system that has the customer/number databases. These 2 types of services are available: Reverse directory service, a simple request reply session where user dials *118*number#, and the system replies with the person having this number. Normal directory service. User dials *118#, and the system initiates a dialogue with the user, starting asking the name of the user or company to search for, and asking for additional information (city, street etc.) until few candidates are found and presented by to the user. The options to (send V- card to mobile) or (Establish call) is provided. The user selects the choice and pushes the Answer button. The USSD application makes actions respective the choice made. Polling Service The mobile subscriber can make a vote and receive polling result using USSD text messaging. To make a vote, subscriber types her/his opinion/choice selection on the mobile e.g. *159*<Poll item ID># and push the <send> button. The subscriber receives a message with the polling result. Dialogue services (quiz, survey, Q&A) Mobile subscriber can answer a quiz, do a survey, receive questions and send using text messaging. The service can be initiated either from the mobile subscriber or from the application server. The application posts a question and the user answer the question. Q&A interaction continues until all the questions are answered. Chat service User (A-number) dials *119*number# and the system uses NI USSD to contact the phone having the number (Bnumber) and asking for whether the user want to start chat with the user having A-number (possible with name found using a directory lookup). Any input entered by B-number is sent to A-number and vice versa. RSS feeds via USSD The mobile subscriber activates the RSS feeds by dialing e.g. *369#. The system uses PLANET- IT USSD to send a menu to the mobile phone so that the subscriber can decide which news to subscribe to. The customer types the number of the news wanted and pressed the answer key. Confirmation of news services activated is sent to the mobile phone. When the news provider publishes news feeds the system uses NI USSD to send the news to the mobile subscriber.

PLANET-IT Planet IT a sister concern of. We are working on ICT development since 2010. We provide Brand & Bulk Messaging Service Globally. In Bangladesh we are providing our services to Multinational and Local Companies, Bank and Financial Organizations, Software Firms, Government Organization, Member of Parliaments, Universities, Educational Institutes, Five Star Hotels, Brand Fashion Houses, Real State, Garments, Hospitals & Doctors, Parcel & Courier Service Providers, etc. We are successfully providing Brand & Bulk SMS from last 2 years. We achieve 100% service level with 24/7 customer support over phone and email. We are working on Faster Data Communication Sector. Planet USSD Center is a recent development for most effective data communication service. We provide whatever needs doing for USSD Development including Gateway and Application. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information about how our USSD Center can help you increase your efficiency and your revenue stream. PLANET-IT Ka-66/C, Kuril Badda, Dhaka-1229 Bangladesh. Email : info@planetgroupbd.com Tel : +8801616752638 Web : http://www.planetgroupbd.com/