Telogic FastText(tm) USSD Gateway enables GSM Operators to extend their store-and-forward messaging services to the next level. These services include session-oriented, dialogue-based and responsive messaging with USSD technology.

USSD services are reachable to most mobile phones via their local or foreign network. USSD services include prepaid international roaming, callback services, information enquiry services and mobile chat.

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is a technology in GSM network that provides session-based messaging between mobile terminals and mobile services. It is a capability built into the GSM standard for support of transmitting information over the signaling channels of the GSM network. With this technology, unlimited number of wireless, dialogue-based messaging applications can be enabled.

USSD which is most suitable for enabling dialogue-based applications, is used to send text messages between the user and some mobile applications. It provides an ideal mechanism for the mobile terminal to trigger or access mobile services such as callback, interactive messaging, information enquiry services, banking services, customer service and mobile chat.

Attributes of USSD

• USSD commands initiated in a foreign network are routed back to the HLR (Home Location Register) of the mobile's home network. This allows home services to continue to work just as well when subscribers are roaming.
• The turnaround response times for interactive applications are shorter for USSD as compared to SMS. This is because USSD provides a session-oriented service while SMS uses a store-and-forward, transaction-oriented technology.
• Users do not need to access any particular phone menu to request USSD services. They can enter the USSD command directly from the mobile phone screen.
• USSD works on most existing GSM mobile phones with both SIM Application Toolkit and the Wireless Application Protocol supporting it.
  

USSD service flow
Typically, a user requests a service by entering a short code (e.g. *121* 676#) on his mobile phone. The format of the short code follows USSD standard but its content is specific to each service.

The short code contains the service code (e.g. 121) and optional service-related information (e.g. 352). This code is passed across the mobile network to the USSD gateway and routed to the application. The application sends the response back to the subscriber through the USSD Gateway within the same USSD session.

For USSD Phase II, the session can consist of an unlimited sequence of messages between the subscriber and the application. In addition, a USSD session can also be initiated by the application.

Telogic’s USSD Server
Telogic’s USSD Gateway is designed with high-performance platform, fault-resilient SS7 signaling unit and well-established database software.

• It integrates high quality products in the market that makes it a high performance, robust and reliable system.
• It has complex logic to support multiple applications within a single platform.
• It is able to scale from several SS7 signaling links to tenths of them.
• It provides the wide-deployed SMPP (Simple Messaging Peer-Peer) interface for applications to enable their services. This allows new services to get deployed rapidly and encourages existing messaging applications to leverage on USSD technology.

Features and Functionality

• Reliable platform with multiple OS support
• High performance SS7 signaling unit
• Compliance with
  • GSM MAP Phase I and Phase II USSD requirements
  • GSM MAP 09.02
  • GSM 02.90 (USSD Stage 1)
  • GSM 03.90 (USSD Stage 2)
• Support multiple applications
• SMPP protocol interface for applications
• Interoperate with Nokia, Ericsson and Siemens HLR.
• Comprehensive billing information

USSD Services
Besides providing you with a feature rich USSD Gateway, Telogic also helps you enable innovative USSD-based mobile services.

International Roaming Service
Besides providing you with a feature rich USSD Gateway, Telogic also helps you enable innovative USSD-based mobile services.

• International Roaming for Prepaid Subscribers
  This service allows the prepaid card mobile subscriber to use their phone out of their home country. They can now freely roam to a foreign country and enjoy the convenient of mobile phone like their postpaid counterpart. To make a call, the subscriber initiates a service request (e.g. *131*<B-number>#<send>) on his hand phone. The service application shall call back to the user and complete his call to the B-party number.
• Alternative IDD service for Roaming Postpaid Subscribers
  Prepaid international roaming service can also benefit the postpaid subscribers. Postpaid subscribers have the option of using the same service to make IDD call instead of the IDD service from the foreign network operator. This generates more revenue for the home network operator.
• Local Customer Service in Foreign Network
  Mobile operator may use prepaid international roaming service to extends the customer service to the subscribers in oversea. It can provide free call to customer service center for those roamers who have difficulty in using the network services.

· Prepaid Card Balance Enquiry
A simple, fast and convenient avenue for prepaid card subscribers to enquire his prepaid card balance. To use this service, subscriber makes a request (e.g. *121#<send>) on his hand phone. He shall receive a text message on his hand phone with the current card value. The transaction can be completed within seconds.

· Prepaid Card Credit Recharge
A simple, fast and convenient avenue for prepaid card subscribers to top-up their card credit using scratch card, bank account and others. To use this service, subscriber makes a request (e.g. *123*<scratch card number>#<send> or *124*<bank account password>*<top up value>#<send>) on his hand phone. He shall receive a text message on his hand phone with the new card value. The transaction can be completed within seconds.

· Information Enquiry Service
A fast and interactive way for user to retrieve information on weather forecast, gaming results, news and many others. Compare to the SMS-based information service, this application is able to provide a more reliable and responsive service to the user.

· Polling Service
This service allows mobile subscriber to make a vote and receive instant polling result using text messaging. To make a vote, subscriber indicates his selection on his hand phone (e.g. *125*<Poll Item ID>#<send>). He shall get a message with the current polling result. Compare to IVR-based Tele-polling service, this method does not require voice trunks and thus gives huge savings on the system cost.

· Quiz and Survey Service
This service allows mobile subscriber to answer a quiz or do a survey using text messaging. The service works this way: user initiates a service request, application posts a question to him, user answer the question, application posts the next questions and the Q&A interaction continues until all the questions are answered.

· Enabler For Other USSD Applications
Our USSD platform has the capability to enable other USSD-based applications such as interactive chatting, banking services, WAP over USSD and etc.

On top of the reliable messaging service, USSD has another plus point. USSD service request initiated in a foreign network are routed back to the service application in the home network. This allows home services to continue to work well and in the same way when subscribers are roaming. So subscriber can use the above services locally or in oversea, without incurring IDD calls!