Mobile Messaging

Vodacom offers its customers mobile messaging services such as SMS, MMS, premium rate SMS (including USSD) and MMS, SVS, bulk SMS and MMS and WAP services. These services are charged on a different basis, subject to the terms of the customer’s package.

SMS

The Group’s primary messaging service is SMS, which allows customers to send and receive short text messages on mobile handsets and various other devices. In 2000, Vodacom SA launched the USSD-based Please Call Me service, which enables a customer to send a free SMS to another person to ask him/her to call back. Vodacom SA now transmits approximately 20 million Please Call Me messages per day. These messages facilitate a call back from the recipient that generates revenue for Vodacom. The Please Call Me messages include advertising messages.

SVS

In October 2008, Vodacom SA launched SVS (Short Voice Service), which allows users to communicate by means of sending and receiving voice messages with a maximum length of 30 seconds. SVS provides customers with the flexibility of communicating in their preferred language and does not require sophisticated handsets or complex downloads.

MMS

MMS messaging offers customers with compatible devices the ability to send and receive multi-media messages, such as pictures, music, sound, video and text.

Premium rate SMS and MMS

Premium rate SMS and MMS content is largely developed by WASPs and focuses on competitions, sports, news and alert services.