How to Make Sure USSD Services Spread Like a Wild Fire? Continued.

Ivan Komarov — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:03:36 +0000

Take the most out of this amazing technology — USSD — and avoid potential pitfalls. A long and heated discussion on LinkedIn about obstacles to a faster uptake of USSD, has yielded the following list of potential and fake “issues”. Let’s continue assessing them.

3. “Sloppy interface”

Assessment: MINIMAL

Resolution:

1) Use it as an entry point to other “picturesque” interfaces

2) Text interface works fine on any phone

3) Easier to work with (“Google chose text vs. banners”)

4. “No standardization”

Assessment: MINIMAL

Resolution:

1) USSD is defined by GSM standards

2) USSD gateways (centers) are usually connected through a standard protocol like SMPP

3) USSD services and applications are often supplied with USSD center

How to Make Sure USSD Services Spread Like a Wild Fire?

Ivan Komarov — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:24:28 +0000

Well, take the most out of this amazing technology and avoid potential pitfalls. A long and heated discussion on LinkedIn about obstacles to a faster uptake of USSD, has yielded the following list of potentially hard and easy issues:

1. “Difficult to remember USSD codes”

Assessment: MINIMAL

Resolution:
1) Use a single point of entry for all services, like *111#
2) Send a Help SMS with all codes upon the first access of *111# or when selecting “Help”
3) Don’t use *–# numbers, use real numbers (contact us to learn how)

2. “It’s considered old fashioned”

Assessment: MINIMAL

Resolution:
1) It’s the easiest entry point to any other (advanced) service – what functionality of a mobile phone can compare with a phone call in terms of simplicity?
2) USSD uptake is actually growing over time
3) Experts forecast a greater use of USSD

(to be continued)

Eyeline Communications » Issues

How to Make Sure USSD Services Spread Like a Wild Fire? Continued.

How to Make Sure USSD Services Spread Like a Wild Fire?