SMSs ---> What are "Standard Rates"

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Skeptik

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Talk Radio 702 and Cape Talk 567 often ask listeners to send an SMS to them to make a comment about news or current affairs. It's a good idea, but you have to send the message to 31567 or 31702.

We are told that these are charged at "Standard Rates".

What are these rates and if they are 'standard', why can't I use my free sms allocation for them?
 
Now what do the radio stations charge if I report a traaffic problem via their SMS traffic no also in the form of 32*** ?
Why must I pay R2.50 to tell them about traffic - OK, I know I don't have to use it..
 
Skeptik said:
What are these rates and if they are 'standard', why can't I use my free sms allocation for them?
Click to expand...
The rates may be 'standard' but it is not considered a 'normal' service (phone call, sms) to enter for competitions, hence the free sms allocation not applying.
The same applies to free minutes as well.
 
The differently priced premium rate SMS's (5 digit codes) can be identified by their initial digits:

Rate of Shortcode - Number format
Standard Rate - 31xxx
R1.00 - 32xxx
R1.50 - 33xxx
R2.00 - 34xxx
R3.00 - 35xxx
R5.00 - 36xxx
R7.50 - 37xxx
R10.00 - 38xxx
R15.00 - 39xxx
R20.00 - 40xxx
R25.00 - 41xxx
R30.00 - 42xxx

So if they say you being charged Standard Rate then the number would start with 31 and as i understand it - you would be charged the same as you would for any local sms. (I think it has to be your out of bundle rate though)
 
ambo said:
The differently priced premium rate SMS's (5 digit codes) can be identified by their initial digits:

Rate of Shortcode - Number format
Standard Rate - 31xxx
R1.00 - 32xxx
R1.50 - 33xxx
R2.00 - 34xxx
R3.00 - 35xxx
R5.00 - 36xxx
R7.50 - 37xxx
R10.00 - 38xxx
R15.00 - 39xxx
R20.00 - 40xxx
R25.00 - 41xxx
R30.00 - 42xxx

So if they say you being charged Standard Rate then the number would start with 31 and as i understand it - you would be charged the same as you would for any local sms. (I think it has to be your out of bundle rate though)
Click to expand...
Thx!

So if they charge Standard Rate - do they make any money out if the deal?
 
Skeptik said:
So if they charge Standard Rate - do they make any money out if the deal?
Click to expand...
No - the premium provider only makes money on the 32xxx short codes and up.
 
from the Wireless Application Service Providers Associations (WASPA) Advertising Rules:

Standard Rate: [see Also definition of Standard Rate in the Definition section]
A Standard Rate is a rate that is part of an in-bundle tariff which a user would ordinarily pay for domestic person to person
communication pursuant to the specific terms and conditions of their service agreement with a mobile network operator. No
“revenue sharing” applies. Thus, where free/bundled SMSs/Minutes cannot be utilized or where the tariff for an Access Channel
differs from the in-bundle tariff for any user pursuant to the terms of conditions of the service agreement that user has with a
mobile network operator, then term "Standard Rate" may not, from implementation of the Ad Rules, be used under those
circumstances.
Instead, the following must be used:
For IVR Lines: "VAS Rates Apply. Free Minutes Do Not Apply"
Premium Rated SMSs: "Premium Rates Apply. Free SMSs do not apply".
Note: This notation must be used irrespective of the value of an SMS (eg 50c/OBS) if the SMSs/Minutes are not available free or in a bundle.
Click to expand...
 
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