Mira Networks

Mira Neworks Frequently Asked Questions


Call Centre TOP 5 questions:

How did I get myself subscribed?

Content providers advertise ringtones, wallpapers, etc on television, radio, newspaper. You can not get subscribed to a service unless you order content via a shortcode. Consumers can also download content from WAP links and often don't realize they subscribing to a service.


How do I unsubscribe?

Reply with the words STOP, or email your request to stop@miranetworks.net or phone our call center on 086 110 MIRA (6472).


Who is taking my money?

Your service provider (MTN, Vodacom or Cell C) can provide you with all the necessary details, you can also look it up on www.smscode.co.za


How long does it take before the unsubscribe is in effect?

Up to 2 work days, from the time the customer first contacted Mira Networks.


What is Mira's role in the industry?

Mira Networks is an SMS aggregator, our role is to provide connectivity for content providers into all the networks in SA. We do not sell services and don't get directly involved with the creation of services and we do not advertise any SMS services, which are the responsibility of our clients, the content provider.

All our content clients are WASPA register members and it is their responsibility to ensure that the services they offer is compliant and above board. When we receive unsubscribe requests or disputes we pass the info directly over to our clients to ensure that the customers are dealt with and a full explanation along with logs and contact details for the content provider are provided to the customers via our call centre and forwarded to the content provider's call center.

Basic SMS applications:

What is an SMS?
SMS stands for "Short Message Service" and is commonly referred to as text messaging. A text message (or an SMS message) is a message you either receive or send in text form through your cell phone. SMS messages are limited to 160 characters.

To what networks do you provide connectivity for?
All the networks in SA and a wide variety of other global networks. For more information visit the Mira footprint page.

Premium rated SMS services:

What is a "short code"?
A "short code" is a 5 digit number active across all networks that is used for premium sms services. By sending a special "keyword" to a "short code" you can get SMS subscriptions, ring tones, wallpapers and games for your mobile phone.

What is a "keyword"?
A keyword is a short or shortened word that you send to a short code to prompt the system for an action. You can request more information, confirm a sign-up, confirm your download and more. For example: send the word HELP to 22288 to receive a help message, or the word TECH to 55444 for technical support information.

What is a reply message?
A reply message is a reply you would receive back in response to a SMS you send to a short code. For example: “Thank you we received you entry, the draw date is 15 December.” A reply message is limited to 160 characters.

Why would I want to set up a premium rated SMS service?
Big and small business or individuals make use of a SMS premium rated service to market SMS competition, set up polls or voting services via SMS. It is easy access and it enables the business to effectively build up a database that are willing to participate in there target market campaigns.

What do I need to set up a premium rated SMS service?
You need to be able to have money available to market the service. A South African based cellular number. A web site referral. Terms & Conditions and a draw date for prize give away.

What is the time period for return on investment?
You need to be able to carry the marketing and all other related expenses for at least the period of 3 months before you see a return on investment, in saying that there is no guarantee that you will see a return as the SMS campaign is only as successful as the quality of your marketing campaign.

How long does it take Mira Networks to set up a premium rated SMS service?
Active codes: 48 hours – 2 working days (Subject to change)
Inactive codes: 2 weeks (Subject to change)

How long is the contract terms?
12 months

Do you provide reporting?
Yes, we provide daily and monthly reporting. We can email a breakdown of SMS traffic received and categorize it if needed.

Would I have access to the incoming SMS traffic?
Yes, Mira provide the client with access to our SMS traffic tool. The SMS traffic tool is internet based, the client can log on with a username and password and view all incoming SMS traffic received on the short code. A draw mechanic is also build into the SMS traffic tool to enable the client to do a draw.

Is end user support available?
Mira Networks has a customer call centre facility and could provide international clients with a customer call centre facility at a month fee charge.

Would I receive revenue for running a Premium rated SMS service?
Yes, Mira Networks sales team will forward you a revenue share structure along with a formal proposal.

Do I pay a set up fee to start up a Premium rated SMS service?
Yes

Do I pay a minimum monthly management fee?
Yes, this fee is transactional based and will fall away if the percentage of the revenue share is higher than the monthly management fee.

How do I apply to set-up a Premium rated SMS service?
Sales will forward quotation and contract, on acceptance of quote and contract an invoice will be generated for the set up fee. Set up of service will only commence once payment is received. A service launch form request will be forwarded by the sales representative to the technical team. For more queries please email your request to the Mira Networks Sales Department.

Subscription Services:

How does an SMS subscription work?
  1. If you interested to subscribe to a service you can subscribe to the service either by entering your cell phone information into a form on the web, or by sending a SMS message to the short code number advertised.
  2. You will receive a reply message asking you to confirm the subscription. Price and terms of use information will be included in the message. For web and SMS sign-ups, reply with the keyword mentioned. YOU WILL NOT BE FULLY SUBSCRIBED UNTIL YOU REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.
  3. You will now start receiving messages to your cell phone.
  4. At any time, you can reply to one of your messages with HELP for more information.
  5. You will be notified before you are billed for the service.
  6. To end the service, reply to one of your messages with STOP.

What do I need to get this service?
You need to have a cell phone that is SMS messaging-enabled and has the SMS messaging service turned on.

How do I sign up?
There are several ways to sign up:
  • Via the web form: Enter your cell phone information into the web form and respond to the confirmation message on your phone.
  • Via SMS: SMS the advertised keyword to the short code number advertised and respond to the confirmation message.

How do I end the service?
For all Mira related services, reply to a message with the word STOP to opt out or to unsubscribe email your cell number to stop@miranetworks.net

Which cell phones work with this service?
Most cell phones that have been purchased within the past 2 years or can receive SMS messages. For subscription services, the phone must support WAP, most recently phones sold do; they must also have WAP access as part of their service plan. If in doubt, check with your service provider to verify that both your phone and account is enabled for messaging.

My network provider is not listed. Can I still subscribe?
No, you cannot subscribe unless your cellular provider is one of the supported networks listed on the signup page.

How can I get technical support?
Read the terms and conditions in fine print or contact the customer care number on the welcome message you would receive when you accept subscription.

How can I get billing information?
You will receive a notice on your cell phone before you are billed.

I need a refund, what do I do?
Please contact your service provider for a refund.

Why am I getting charged extra by my network for this service?
Networks generally charge either a small per-message charge or a charge for a bucket of messages. Please contact your networks for any questions regarding billing for services.

Is there a Regulatory body for the SMS market?
The South African mobile market is regulated by WASPA. All providers has to adhere to the WASPA code of conduct and apply to be an affiliated member of WASPA. Mira Networks does not take on the WASPA code of conduct responsibilities on behalf of clients. Clients have to apply via WASPA to become a member. WASPA website www.waspa.org.za.

Technical SMS questions:

What is SMPP?
SMPP stands for Short Message Peer to Peer Protocol. SMPP is a private messaging protocol used within the wireless service provider's secure network. Using SMPP, text messages are sent to a mobile phone number rather than to an email address.

How does SMPP work?
Messages sent over SMPP are routed directly to and from the wireless service provider over a secure private network. Most major wireless service providers can provide confirmation of message delivery. The greatest benefit to SMPP is the fact that messages are two-way, enabling mobile phone subscribers to respond to the messages you send them easily via the text messaging feature on a handset.

What is API?
Stands for "Application Program Interface," though it is sometimes referred to as an "Application Programming Interface." An API is a set of commands, functions, and protocols which programmers can use when building software for a specific operating system. The API allows programmers to use predefined functions to interact with the operating system, instead of writing them from scratch.

What is HTTP?
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the set of rules for transferring files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) on the World Wide Web. As soon as a Web user opens their Web browser, the user is indirectly making use of HTTP. HTTP is an application protocol that runs on top of the TCP/IP suite of protocols (the foundation protocols for the Internet).

What is HTTPS?
HTTPS (Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the set of rules for transferring files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) on the World Wide Web. The difference between HTTPS and HTTP is that the security protocol (HTTPS) operates at lower sublayer, encrypting an HTTP message prior to transmission and decrypting a message upon arrival.

What is reverse billing or premium billing?
Premium SMS Billing is application-to-person (A2P) technology used by businesses that need to bill their consumers using the mobile channel. It works like a standard text message, "wrapped" in an invoice, which either gets billed to a consumer's monthly mobile phone bill or is deducted from the consumer's pre-pay account.

What is a MSISDN?
Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) is a number used to identify a cell phone number internationally.