Cell C, MTN double opt-in on SMS services

MTN and Cell C will be introducing double opt-in systems for wireless application service providers (WASPs) during December 2013, according to the MD of BulkSMS, Pieter Streicher.

Vodacom launched its double opt-in system, called “MESH”, two years ago (14 December 2011), which the network said had a dramatic effect on fraudulent billing for WASP services.

Earlier this year, Vodacom told MyBroadband that it had seen a reduction of over 33% in WASP revenue after introducing MESH.

This loss was worth it, a spokesperson for the network said previously, as no new cases of fraudulent billing had been reported by the time of writing in May 2013.

Telkom Mobile recently told MyBroadband that it had already switched to a double opt-in system, and that users can call its call centre to cancel SMS subscription services at any time.

A document in MyBroadband’s possession suggests that Cell C was expected to completely migrate to double opt-in on 11 December 2013.

Asked for feedback on the matter, Cell C said that all WASPs are busy integrating its new double opt-in system.

“Once this process has been completed, Cell C will issue a statement,” a spokesperson for the operator said.

MTN did not respond by the time of publication.

Update: MTN has confirmed the implementation of a system it calls Token Based Billing (TBB), with the following statement attributed to Kevin Jacobson, general manager of business indirect sales at MTN SA.

MTN has successfully implemented our Token Based Billing solution on 4 December 2013. All MTN WASPS are now billing MTN customers on the new Billing Platform where customers cannot be billed without their approval.

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