The Internet, innovation and the growth of technology are all pushing to make life easier in the form of automated processes. For instance, going to a library to acquire a book is currently a significantly less cumbersome experience or paying your ZESA bill has been as simple tapping of a few buttons. The Internet today has improved work and reduced the gap between individuals across various sectors such as finance, health, and trade.
The mass adoption of over the top services such as Skype and WhatsApp has had a hard knock-on effect on telecom companies across in Zimbabwe.
Last week State-owned mobile network operator, Netone launched service which allowed its users to check what date and time it was via a USSD code. Since Netone is “customer centricity” focusing on customer needs and wants to culminate in the modification of the service previously accessed through *120*1# for time and *120*2# for mobile number onto a single platform using *120# for added convenience
Giving customer two options through seamlessly entering one USSD code. Other telecommunications company do not offer this service proving NetOne is cognizant of challenges customers face and creating a simplified service provision
To same this service my seam as a primitive service but believe me, it’s one of the most asked questions on all the Mobile network customer care services.
Some of the most common questions that people call asking are over scratched recharge cards, a person own number and despairing data.
The increasing development of technology has isolated a few people behind, however. What happens to those that can’t afford these new devices? Enter USSD, a forgotten technology that has so much potential, its design and build is perfect for many service options, from mobile payments through to interactive chat. And Netone has seen it fit to not forget this service.
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data is a protocol utilized by cell phones to interconnect with a service provider. An application constructed utilizing USSD will have a one of a kind shortcode in the form of “*123#” or “*142*2#”; typically assigned by a telecommunications company.
The shortcode is sent utilizing a phone to a server, which sends a menu or an inquiry for the user to respond to. It is a real-time messaging option similar to SMS, where it sends the message (MT) utilizing the signaling channel. The most notable difference from SMS which uses a ‘store and forwards’ message flow is that with USSD it works on a ‘session’ based connection.
New innovative services are starting to gain popularity across social networking, USSD gaming and gambling and other forms of mobile entertainment.
USSD has large growth potential especially across the link between mobile billing and customer care services; that is to make a mobile transaction when in a USSD session, quickly and securely.
Understanding the limits of IVR (voice) and SMS is important. USSD offers so much to look at with its speed and flexibility, it is not to be overlooked anymore.
