USSD Insights | Sumble

What is USSD?

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a protocol used by GSM cellular telephones to communicate with the mobile network operator's computers. USSD can be used for a variety of applications, such as mobile banking, menu-based information services, and prepaid account management. It works by sending a short code (starting with * and ending with #) from the phone to the network, which then responds with text-based information. USSD sessions are real-time and connection-oriented.

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What other technologies are related to USSD?

USSD Competitor Technologies

SMS

SMS (Short Message Service) is an alternative method for sending short text messages. While similar in purpose, USSD provides a session-based, real-time interaction, and is often preferred for interactive services like mobile banking or balance inquiries, directly competing with SMS in some use cases.

mentioned alongside USSD in 1% (92) of relevant job posts

IVR

IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems offer menu-driven access to information and services via voice. It is a competitor since it provides similar menu driven and interactive services, although through voice rather than text.

mentioned alongside USSD in 1% (54) of relevant job posts

USSD Complementary Technologies

SMSC

SMSC (Short Message Service Center) is a network element in a mobile telephone network that delivers SMS messages. USSD uses the SMSC infrastructure to deliver messages, making it a complementary technology.

mentioned alongside USSD in 21% (94) of relevant job posts

SMPP

SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer) is a protocol used to exchange SMS messages between SMSCs and/or External Short Messaging Entities (ESMEs). It's often used for USSD applications to interact with the mobile network, making it complementary.

mentioned alongside USSD in 6% (58) of relevant job posts