Textual Interface of USSD: Is It an Obstacle?

My question to everyone is: What stops you from using USSD services?

On 10/9/08 8:30 AM, Srinivas Miriyala wrote:
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It is primarily the interface and experience compared to other
technolgies available on the hadnset such as wap/xhtml browser, ODP or
even rich clients. The rich interface will have a strong correlation to
the usage (e.g Apple iPhone usage of google search etc)

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My opinion is this:

I would agree with you but for the following facts:

iPhone has a tiny distribution as compared to Nokia, for example (remember we have 3 billion mobile phones on the planet Earth. How many iPhones have been sold? Less than a million?).

WAP configuration is a task impossible for majority of users.

Interface richness should correspond to the task at hand. There is
no need for extravagance to display one’s balance (look at Chrome, for
example, to continue with comparisons).

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But in general the question is valid:

Is Textual Nature of USSD a Hindrance to Its Uptake? What do you think?

(BUT don’t forget, USSD can also initiate (send an SMS with a link) a WAP session!)