Full overview of USSD (comparison and application in other fields, etc.)

What is USSD?

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) refers to the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, which is a new type of interactive data service based on the GSM network. When you input some numbers or symbols preset by the network, such as *#, etc., on your mobile phone keypad and then press the "send" (dialing) button, you can send an instruction to the network, and the network will select and provide you with the service you need according to your instruction. Compared with short messages, GPRS, and WAP, USSD has more prominent feasibility and advantages in industrial applications.

Applications of USSD

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) refers to the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, which is an interactive data service based on the GSM network. The following are the applications of USSD in different fields:

1. Telecom Value-added Services

• Information Services: USSD can be used to provide information services such as news, weather forecasts, and stock quotes. Users can obtain the required information by inputting specific codes.
• Phone Bill Inquiry and Recharge: Users can use USSD codes to inquire about the phone bill balance, recharge the phone bill, and check the remaining package quota, etc.
• Call Forwarding Settings: Users can use USSD codes to set call forwarding, such as unconditional call forwarding, no-answer call forwarding, and call forwarding when unreachable.

2. Financial Services

• Mobile Banking: Users can use USSD codes to query bank account balances, make transfers, and make payments, etc., without using the Internet or smartphone applications.

3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

• Customer Information Update: USSD can be integrated with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to request the update of customer information, improving the quality of customer service and data accuracy.

4. Marketing and Market Research

• Marketing Surveys: Organizations can send marketing surveys through USSD, and users can respond immediately, enabling companies to obtain customer feedback in real time.

5. Remote Monitoring and Industrial Applications

• Wireless Remote Monitoring System: USSD can be used in remote monitoring systems in industrial applications, such as the wireless remote monitoring system operated by the 50th Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Urumqi.

6. Other Applications

• Network Configuration: Users can configure mobile devices on the network through USSD, such as purchasing talk time or requesting account balances.
• Callback Services: USSD can be used for prepaid callback services. When users use this service to make domestic calls while roaming, the system will first call the called user in China. After the called user is connected, it will then call the calling user who is in international roaming, thus completing the call connection between the calling and called users.

Features of USSD

The features of USSD include:

• Real-time Interaction: USSD provides real-time interactive session services, and users can immediately see the responses from service providers.

• Low Cost: Compared with text messages, USSD has a lower cost because it does not involve data traffic fees.

• Simple and Fast: USSD is easy to operate. Users only need to input instructions through the mobile phone keypad.

• Widely Supported: Most GSM mobile phones support USSD services and do not rely on smartphone operating systems.

Limitations of USSD

Although USSD has many advantages, it also has some limitations:

• Text Limitation: USSD messages usually have limitations and cannot contain a large amount of text or multimedia content.

• Interaction Limitation: USSD sessions are usually one-way, and users cannot freely browse information as they do on web pages.

• Network Dependence: Although it does not require an Internet connection, USSD still depends on the mobile network and may not be able to be used normally in areas with poor network coverage.

In summary, USSD is a practical mobile communication service, especially suitable for providing basic data services in areas with insufficient network coverage. With the development of technology, USSD may be integrated with other more advanced mobile communication technologies to provide more abundant and efficient services.

Applications of USSD in Banking Business

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a real-time online interactive session data service based on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. It uses the signaling channels of the GSM network to transmit data and is a new service launched on the basis of the GSM short message system technology. USSD technology can be used alone or combined with existing short message technology and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology to provide customers with diversified value-added services, such as mobile banking, financial stock trading, and mobile phone bill inquiries.

In banking business, the applications of USSD are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Mobile Banking Services: Users can use the USSD protocol to perform operations such as account inquiries, transfers, and recharges without relying on an Internet connection. They can even use these services in areas without 3G or 4G network coverage. Such services are usually accessed by dialing specific service codes, which are simple and convenient to operate.

• Small Payment System: The USSD protocol can be used to build a mobile small payment system, which can handle the interface specifications and business between the internal comprehensive business systems of banks and the electronic remittance systems. Such a system can achieve fast and convenient payment services and is suitable for daily small transactions.

• Banking Business Interface System: The combination of the USSD business system and the banking business interface system can realize the automation and intelligence of banking services. For example, users can use the USSD menu to manage accounts, make bank transfers, and conduct investment and financial management operations, improving the efficiency and service quality of banking business.

• E-commerce Portal Navigation: The USSD-based e-commerce portal can provide first-level menu navigation. After users access the portal through the USSD protocol, they can choose to enter the USSD application servers of banks or securities firms to conduct banking operations such as transfers and inquiries.

The application of USSD in banking business has significant advantages, such as low usage threshold, real-time online interaction, simple operation interface, fast data transmission speed, and strong business processing ability. These features make USSD an indispensable technology in mobile banking business.

Advantages and Disadvantages of USSD and SMS

1. Advantages of USSD

• Fast Response Speed: USSD maintains a wireless connection during the session, provides a transparent channel, and does not perform store-and-forward operations. Therefore, its response time is faster than that of SMS.

• Simple Operation: Users can directly input USSD command strings without having to select from hierarchical menus.

• High Flexibility: The content and length of messages are more flexible.

• Roaming Support: Each USSD command has to go through the Home Location Register (HLR). When users are roaming, they can operate in the same way as the USSD service.

• Wide Applicability: USSD can basically run on all current GSM mobile phones.

• Powerful Functions: It can provide services in the form of dialogues and information service menus.

2. Disadvantages of USSD

• Occupying Signaling Resources: It will continuously occupy signaling resources during use until the service ends, which may affect the development of voice services and other services.

3. Advantages of SMS

• Store-and-Forward: SMS is a store-and-forward system, which is suitable for point-to-point communication methods.

• Stable and Reliable: SMS technology is mature, has wide coverage, and has a large user base.

4. Disadvantages of SMS

• Slow Response Speed: Since it is a store-and-forward system, the response time of SMS is relatively long.

• Poor Interactivity: SMS is not easy to achieve real-time information interaction.

In summary, USSD is superior to SMS in terms of response speed, operational convenience, flexibility, roaming support, wide applicability, and powerful functions, but it has disadvantages in occupying signaling resources. Although SMS is inferior to USSD in some aspects, its stable and reliable and wide coverage characteristics still make it indispensable in some scenarios.

Limitations of USSD in Providing Weather Forecast Services

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a widely used technology in the field of mobile communications. It allows users to trigger specific services by inputting specific codes. Although USSD has certain convenience in providing weather forecast services, it also has some limitations:

• Interaction Limitation: USSD services usually provide one-way or limited interaction, and users cannot freely browse and select information as they do in smartphone applications. This means that when using USSD weather forecast services, users may not be able to obtain detailed historical data or conduct complex queries.

• Function Limitation: Compared with modern mobile applications, the functions of USSD services are relatively single and limited. It may not be able to provide graphical weather maps, real-time updated weather alerts, or other advanced weather analysis tools.

• User Experience: The user experience of USSD services may not be as smooth as that of modern mobile applications. Since USSD is based on text interaction, it may lack an intuitive user interface, causing inconvenience to users during use.

• Technical Compatibility: Although most GSM mobile phones support USSD services, not all mobile devices support this technology. This means that some users may not be able to use USSD-based weather forecast services.

• Dependence on Operators: The availability of USSD services highly depends on the support of mobile operators. Different operators may provide different USSD codes and services, which may lead to service inconsistency and coverage limitations.

• Cost Issue: Using USSD services may incur additional costs, especially when roaming internationally or activating special services. This may become an obstacle for some users to use USSD weather forecast services.

In summary, although USSD has certain advantages in providing weather forecast services, its limitations cannot be ignored. With the development of mobile Internet technology, more weather forecast services based on applications may gradually ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ traditional USSD services.

Summary

USSD is an interactive data service based on the GSM network. It has applications in multiple fields such as telecom value-added services and finance, and has advantages such as real-time interaction and low cost. It also has limitations in terms of text and interaction. It is widely used in banking business. Compared with SMS, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and in the provision of weather forecast services, convenience and limitations coexist.