USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data and is a protocol used by the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications cellphones to communicate with service providers’ computers. If you have ever topped up with airtime by dialling that “*100# “number, then you have used USSD. It offers a simple browsing experience through a menu system on your mobile device.
Latest research shows that an average of 80% of South Africans living in urban areas and 94% of South Africans living in the more remote rural areas have pre-paid accounts which gives a good indication of how a USSD service can add value. USSD is supported by all handsets and networks and requires no internet connection or application to be installed.
This month, we are looking at the most popular USSD codes of South Africa’s main cellphone service providers.
Cell C
Check airtime, SMS/MMS and data balance: *101#
Cancel info subscriptions: *133*1#
Change tariff plan: *147#
Data bundles: *147#
Blackberry bundles: *147#
Emergency airtime: *147#
Data settings (GPRS and MMS): *147#
Product information: *147#
Share airtime: *147#
Infotainment: *147#
Cancel infotainment: *133*1#
Send a callback: *111* cellphone number #
Personalise callback: *111*1# – choose option 1 – enter your name and press OK – choose option 1
Check your cellphone number: *147# – choose option 8
Convert airtime to data bundles: *147# – choose 4 – press 1 – choose from options 1 to 10 and enter it – press 1 – press 1
Load airtime voucher: *102* recharge pin #
Divert all calls: **21*08414 followed by the last 9 digits of your phone number # (e.g.**21*084148476543210 #)
Divert calls when busy on your cellphone: **67*08414 followed by the last 9 digits of your phone number #
Divert calls to voicemail: **62*08414 followed by the last 9 digits of your phone number #
Divert calls to voicemail when there’s no answer: **61*08414 followed by the last 9 digits of your phone number #
Cancel all diverts on your number: ##002#
Activate bis service: *147* press 5 – press 1 – choose from options 1 to 3
Deactivate bis service: *147* press 5 – press 1 – press 4
Block a lost sim card: *147# >> press 6
Block/check subscriptions (wasp): *133*1#
