{"id":77098,"date":"2013-05-06T14:00:54","date_gmt":"2013-05-06T12:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=77098"},"modified":"2013-05-06T14:02:06","modified_gmt":"2013-05-06T12:02:06","slug":"the-truth-regarding-sms-services-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/cellular\/77098-the-truth-regarding-sms-services-money.html","title":{"rendered":"The truth regarding SMS services money"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many South African\u2019s have lost money after their SIMs were billed without authorisation by rogue wireless access service providers (WASP<\/a>s). This can easily be prevented by a double opt-in SMS system \u2013 so why is Vodacom<\/a> the only operator which has this system?<\/p>\n

Currently a rogue WASP can start billing a SIM card from Cell C<\/a> and MTN<\/a> without the authorization of the subscriber. All they need to do this is the person\u2019s cellular number.<\/p>\n

Vodacom\u2019s subscribers, in contrast, are protected against unauthorised SIM billing thanks to its double opt-in system.<\/p>\n

Vodacom introduced double opt-in (aka MESH) in December 2011, which requires subscribers to confirm, via SMS, that they want to subscribe to a paid-for SMS service before they are billed for it.<\/p>\n

After Vodacom introduced double opt-in they have not had any new cases of fraudulent billing of WASP services. This clearly shows how effective double opt-in is.<\/p>\n

Why not launch double opt-in?<\/h3>\n

A double opt-in system is clearly very effective against fraudulent SIM billing, so why don\u2019t MTN and Cell C follow Vodacom\u2019s example in implementing this system?<\/p>\n

According to two industry experts, who asked to remain anonymous, it is all about the money.<\/p>\n

Vodacom said that they saw a total reduction of over 33% in WASP revenue after they introduced their double opt-in system.\u00a0Despite the lost revenue, Vodacom said it was worth it.<\/p>\n

\"Nomsa<\/a>

Nomsa Thusi<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWhen the double opt-in business rules were launched we saw a 30% reduction in WASP billing queries and when we implemented the double opt-in technical solution there was an additional 60% reduction,\u201d said Vodacom spokesperson Nomsa Thusi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cClearly the double opt-in service has provided major benefits for our customers,\u201d said Thusi.<\/p>\n

Double opt-in is therefore a great way to protect subscribers against unauthorised SIM billing, and assist them to only pay for the SMS services they want.<\/p>\n

MyBroadband asked MTN and Cell C why they have not yet implemented a double opt-in system. Here is the outcome:<\/p>\n