Types of USSD codes - Shared and Dedicated USSD codes

Derdus Mosoti — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 07:38:33 +0000

A USSD code is the number you dial between a * and a # to access a USSD application e.g. *502#.

There are two types of USSD codes:

Dedicated code
Shared code

Dedicated USSD code

This USSD code is assigned and used by one or particular organization. It is that organization, which manages that USSD code and is not shared with other organizations.

An example is *123#.

Shared USSD code

A dedicated USSD code is not free and can be very expensive to acquire and maintain one. Thus, one can acquire a USSD code and let it be shared by many organizations.

More often, a USSD aggregator acquires a a dedicated USSD code, shares it to many organization at lower prices compared to the dedicated USSD code.

Example of a shared USSD code is *123*20#.

*123# is the main USSD code and
20 is the channel

You can observer that, on the main USSD code, you could create many channels for different organizations.

If you wish to learn how to develop, test an deploy USSD and SMS apps, please checkout this course Building and Testing USSD and SMS Applications by Skillsday

Building and Testing USSD and SMS Applications complete course

Derdus Mosoti — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:08:43 +0000

For a long time, I looked for an online course to learn how to develop and test and deploy USSD applications. I was not successful. I later discovered that building USSD apps is a matter of consuming API but one still has to understand a thing or 2 about GSM networks/mobile telecom networks.

USSD technology is an old technology but it has found a new meaning, and it is being embraced to create cutting edge solutions.

I embarked on creating a complete course on USSD and its sister SMS :)

It is an hands-on course, where a learner will have built a simple mobile money application running on USSD.

The course is made of 152 lessons and is 12 Hrs 35 minutes long. It is organized into chapters as follows:

Course introduction
Introduction to USSD and SMS Applications
Introduction to PHP programming language and HTTP protocol
Building and Testing USSD Application Menu
Adding application functionality or logic to the USSD Menus
Adding SMS functionality to the USSD application
Moving from SANDBOX environment to LIVE environment
Monetizing USSD and SMS Applications

Access the course using this link: Building and Testing USSD and SMS Applications

DEV Community: Derdus Mosoti

Types of USSD codes - Shared and Dedicated USSD codes

Dedicated USSD code

Shared USSD code

Building and Testing USSD and SMS Applications complete course