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USSD Service Overview

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

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.

Confidential -

Planet Group
Ka 66/C (Ground Floor), Kuril, Badda, Dhaka-1229
Cell: 01616Planet
Web: www.planetgroupbd.com
E-mail: info@planetgroupbd.com
Planet Group
Benefits

For all players in the mobile and the mobile interaction industry USSD-
based 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.

Confidential -

Planet Group
Ka 66/C (Ground Floor), Kuril, Badda, Dhaka-1229
Cell: 01616Planet
Web: www.planetgroupbd.com
E-mail: info@planetgroupbd.com
Planet Group

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.

Confidential -

Planet Group
Ka 66/C (Ground Floor), Kuril, Badda, Dhaka-1229
Cell: 01616Planet
Web: www.planetgroupbd.com
E-mail: info@planetgroupbd.com
Planet Group
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.

Confidential -

Planet Group
Ka 66/C (Ground Floor), Kuril, Badda, Dhaka-1229
Cell: 01616Planet
Web: www.planetgroupbd.com
E-mail: info@planetgroupbd.com
Planet Group
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, long-
distance 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
Mobile Result Publish
User enter the banking service dialing
e.g. *322#. PLANET-IT USSD returns The student or the guardian sends
the Banking menu to the mobile a USSD sort code or long code e.g.
phone. The user types the number for +442035146686 to start the
the service wanted and presses the session. During this USSD session
key below Answer. The application no premium charge may apply. On
returns the menu for the choice of service made, the application menu they will provide their Exam
and the interaction between bank application and Year followed by the Roll No to get the result
user continues until transactions is performed and immediately transferred via background
confirmed or the requested information has been applications.
provided. Directory (number) service.
Push services (news, weather, sports)
Mobile money transfer
Initially the customer
The customer sends a USSD sort sends a USSD message
code e.g. *247# to start the session. to subscribe to an
During this USSD session a premium entertainment of
charge can be applied to the phone information service.
bill and the customer can decide to which mobile Then the wanted content is flashed to the mobile
number the amount should be transferred. The screen on the agreed terms.
money is transferred via background applications. This can e.g. be used for updates on news,
weather, films, sports, the currency and stock
market

Confidential -

Planet Group
Ka 66/C (Ground Floor), Kuril, Badda, Dhaka-1229
Cell: 01616Planet
Web: www.planetgroupbd.com
E-mail: info@planetgroupbd.com
Planet Group
Pre-paid top up Polling Service

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

Confidential -

Planet Group
Ka 66/C (Ground Floor), Kuril, Badda, Dhaka-1229
Cell: 01616Planet
Web: www.planetgroupbd.com
E-mail: info@planetgroupbd.com
Planet Group
PLANET-IT

‘Planet IT’ a sister concern of “Planet Group”. 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/

Confidential -

Planet Group
Ka 66/C (Ground Floor), Kuril, Badda, Dhaka-1229
Cell: 01616Planet
Web: www.planetgroupbd.com
E-mail: info@planetgroupbd.com

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