Continuously receiving weird messages - frm #40 and #50

[kwaailight]

I have an 8ta contract and switched phones (swopped sim) about two days ago. Since then I am receiving scores of unsolicited 'service-like' messages. They are not sms's ... they look like service messages/USSD messages although it is headed as 'SMS Message' in the pop-up window. There are two types, namely:

1. 'ZONE65%55%' (or any permutation thereof) - If you save the message, it shows in the sms-log as coming from #50

2. '4 FEBRUARY IN IN. DIAL 0831230500 (VAS RATES APPLY)' - If you save this message, it shows in the sms-log as coming from #40

I have phoned the 8ta call centre twice, but they have no idea what it can be and suggested I phone the number in the message. I did and it sounds like it might be MTN's Weather Service?

I have not subscribed to anything to my knowledge and these messages are driving me up the wall. They come in randomly throughout the day AND night. I want to check messages that may come in the night, since there may be an emergency in my family, but with these damn messages I end up without any sleep!

I have searched the web and find some references (very few) to MTN Broadcast messages from way back in 2008. Nothing I can use to solve my problem. This is driving me up the wall.

Does anybody what is going on/have any advice?

[cavedog]

Yes since 8ta is roaming on MTN You will get the MTN zone broadcast messages.

You should be able to turn these off in the message settings. You need to turn broadcast messages off in messages settings.

Usually mtn sends those broadcast messages on channels 40 and 50 so that explains that.

What phone do you have and maybe some 1 here can tell you where exactlly to turn it off.

[kwaailight]

Thnx cavedog! Makes sense ... I have an HTC Desire S ... ?

[Dom1n8tr1x]

It's CB Messages, you should be able to turn them off from Settings, Call and untick CB Messages

Sent from a galaxy far, far away...

[Friggs]

Top two answers are spot on. I was playing around with S2 the other day and turned on CB messages... I switched it off 3min later after getting about 10 or 15 msgs, very annoying. I think it has to do with how Android handles CellBroadcast, on older phones it displayed on the home screen and rotated between the msgs, Android seems to recieve each little update as a new incoming message.

[kwaailight]

I cannot find anywhere obvious where CellBroadcast reception can be toggled? I have looked at settings under messaging ... nothing there? Will do a search in the manual ... if I can find it ...

[kwaailight]

I cannot find anywhere obvious where CellBroadcast reception can be toggled? I have looked at settings under messaging ... nothing there? Will do a search in the manual ... if I can find it ...

Okay ... duh ... google it ... found it under 'Call Settings' ... it is off now ... here's hoping for a decent night's rest ... THANK YOU GUYS!

[vision840506]

F uck this message, drive me crazy as well.