Program Overview
– Last Invention® USSD Developer Program –
Sign Up
Develop Your Own USSD App
Go Live
– About The Program –
We have developed and will continue developing great USSD Apps as The Last Invention and believe in USSD technology. It is revolutionising how business is done in South Africa (and elsewhere); so much so that we now want to open it up to a lot more creative minds out there.
The program will extend our USSD Application Development Platform to the Development Community and we have implemented creative pricing to make this possible. This will give developers (young and old) an opportunity to develop their own USSD Applications (for their customers: business, communities, etc) while retaining their Intellectual Property. API access to our platform is provided – for seamless integration.
Target…
University, College, School, Business or Individual – this is for you
This program is also important to me personally, as I know its inherent potential to unlock great success – especially and particularly in, by and for previously disadvantaged communities.
The philosophy … always … to be the BEST, not (necessarily) the FIRST.
How It Works
– Development Phase –
1. Who/What is this option for?
> Short-duration projects (3 months maximum).
> Developer/Varsity/College/School projects.
> For more details, see point 4 below: “Phase details (pricing, API doc, etc)”
2. Place an order via our Secure Client Portal
> The order takes less than 2 minutes to complete.
> The portal is our Client management, Billing & Support platform. It handles everything from signup to termination and is a powerful automation & support tool. We’ve acquired the best secure technology for your peace of mind when managing your account, doing online purchases, etc.
3. Pay the once-off project registration fee
> This is a non-refundable fee.
> Payment options: EFT, Bank deposit, Credit Card* and PayPal*.
* Credit Card and PayPal payments processed via our Secure Client Portal
4. Phase details (pricing, API docs, etc)
4.1. The Development phase has a maximum 3 month duration, after which the platform will be inactive or you may choose to upgrade to the Production Phase program.
4.2. Pay R200 service fee (for the USSD code and keep it active) for the 3 months duration. You also need to purchase USSD session credits to keep your platform active (see point 4.3. below for details).
4.3. Process:
4.3.1. Step 1: Pay R350 for the whole 3 month period (non-refundable R150 project registration fee plus R200 Development Phase fee).
4.3.2. Step 2: Development Phase setup – your USSD platform USSD string and URL. Required (with pricing) are:
a) Your application’s URL.
b) Your preferred USSD code (if your first choice is available, otherwise we will assign you a code that is available). Choose one of the following options…
i) Format 1: An in-house code: standard rated *120*553*338*xxx# (xxx is a number you choose) – free of charge to you for the Development Phase period. Standard rated means the mobile subscriber dialling your code will be charged (from their airtime/mobile account) 20 cents every 20 seconds they are on the USSD session.
ii) Format 2: A shorter in-house string: standard rated *120*553*xxx# (xxx is a number you choose) – at R100 extra (for the whole Development Phase period).
iii) Format 3: The shortest USSD code possible (it may take 4-6 weeks to activate):
1. R2,400 once-off USSD code activation fee (options are: standard rated, premium rated+, reverse charged standard rated+ or reverse charged premium rated+), plus
2. R850/month.
+ see “Term Definitions” below
c) USSD sessions credits. Choose from the following options (a positive credit balance is required to keep your USSD platform active):
i) USSD Sessions TopUp Bundle 1 (500 x USSD Session Credits) for R40 (8 cents per USSD session).
ii) USSD Sessions TopUp Bundle 2 (10,000 x USSD Session Credits) for R600 (6 cents per USSD session).
d) Development Phase support. Choose one of the following options…
i) Free: 48 hour response support.
ii) 24 hour response support. R500 for the Development Phase period: See Designated Contacts Support Plan.
4.3.3. Step 3: Integration with your application.
a) Use our API document to integrate your application with the Last Invention® USSD Platform. See the API document (the one relevant to your USSD code format) at Last Invention® USSD Application Development Platform API Documents.
b) We also link your application (via your application URL) to your assigned USSD code.
c) Your USSD application will now be live.
NB: All above prices are excl. VAT
– Production Phase –
1. Who/What is this option for?
> The upgrade option for the Development Phase program.
> Extended-duration projects (minimum 6 months).
> Developer/Varsity/College/School projects.
> For more details, see point 4 below: “Phase details (pricing, API doc, etc)”
2. Place an order via our Secure Client Portal
> The order takes less than 2 minutes to complete.
> The portal is our Client management, Billing & Support platform. It handles everything from signup to termination and is a powerful automation & support tool. We’ve acquired the best secure technology for your peace of mind when managing your account, doing online purchases, etc.
3. Pay the once-off project registration fee
> This is a non-refundable fee.
> Payment options: EFT, Bank deposit, Credit Card* and PayPal*.
* Credit Card and PayPal payments processed via our Secure Client Portal
4. Phase details (pricing, API docs, etc)
4.1. The Production phase has an unlimited time duration. Your platform can be active for as long as you need it to. The minimum duration is 6 months.
4.2. Process:
4.2.1. Step 1: Pay the non-refundable R150 project registration fee. If you are upgrading from the Development Phase you do not pay this fee.
4.2.2. Step 2: Development Phase setup – your USSD platform USSD string and URL. If you are upgrading from the Development Phase, then you can continue with your Development Phase USSD string and URL. Required (with pricing) are:
a) Your application’s URL.
b) Your preferred USSD code (if your first choice is available, otherwise we will assign you a code that is available). Choose one of the following options…
i) Format 1: An in-house code: standard rated *120*553*338*xxx# (xxx is a number you choose) – R200 per quarter. Standard rated means the mobile subscriber dialling your code will be charged (from their airtime/mobile account) 20 cents every 20 seconds they are on the USSD session.
ii) Format 2: A shorter in-house string: standard rated *120*553*xxx# (xxx is a number you choose) – R300 per quarter.
iii) Format 3: Your own dedicated USSD code:
1. R2,400 once-off USSD code activation fee (options are: standard rated, premium rated+, reverse charged standard rated+ or reverse charged premium rated+), plus
2. R850/month.
+ see “Term Definitions” below
c) USSD sessions credits. Choose from the following options (a positive credit balance is required to keep your USSD platform active):
i) USSD Sessions TopUp Bundle 1 (500 x USSD Session Credits) for R40 (8 cents per USSD session).
ii) USSD Sessions TopUp Bundle 2 (10,000 x USSD Session Credits) for R600 (6 cents per USSD session).
d) Development Phase support. Choose one of the following options…
i) Free: 48 hour response support.
ii) 24 hour response support. R500 per quarter for the Production Phase period: See Designated Contacts Support Plan.
4.2.3. Step 3: Integration with your application.
a) Use our API document to integrate your application with the Last Invention® USSD Platform. See the API document (the one relevant to your USSD code format) at Last Invention® USSD Application Development Platform API Documents.
b) We also link your application (via your application URL) to your assigned USSD code.
c) Your USSD application will now be live.
NB: All above prices are excl. VAT
Term Definitions
This is a USSD code which when dialled will charge the dialler (mobile network subscriber) at a rate of 20 cents per 20 seconds while they are in the USSD session.
2. Premium rated USSD code.
This is a USSD code which when dialled will charge the dialler (mobile network subscriber) at a rate higher than the standard rate of 20 cents per 20 seconds while they are in the USSD session. These are charged at rates of either of the following: R1.20, R1,50, R2.00, R3.00 or R5.00 per minute.
These codes can be used for generating revenue. This means that the rate is split between your account and the mobile network operator. Please contact us for more information.
3. Reverse charged USSD code.
This is a USSD code which when dialled will charge the rated amount to your account instead of the dialler (mobile network subscriber). This means the code is free to the dialler.
4. Reverse charged standard rated USSD code.
This is a USSD code which when dialled will charge the standard rate of 20 cents per 20 seconds to your account instead of the dialler (mobile network subscriber).
5. Reverse charged premium rated USSD code.
This is a USSD code which when dialled will charge the selected premium rate of R1.20, R1,50, R2.00, R3.00 or R5.00 per minute to your account instead of the dialler (mobile network subscriber).
- Useful shortcuts -
Our overall objective is to give the developer community a platform that narrows the gap between themselves and the enduser; by enabling a low-cost USSD Application Development Platform.
This solution gives the developer community a way to market themselves in the broader business community (or any marketplace) with commitment to reduced Time-To-Market.
Resources and Programs
Secure Client Portal
Quarterly Newsletter
Frequently Asked Questions
See All Our Products & Services
Don't Be Shy - Get In Touch
If we haven’t answered all of your questions, Still not sure about what we offer or just want to chat… Feel free to live chat, drop us a line, mail, Skype or WhatsApp us anytime.