Callback Billing Service
Overview
The MX Telecom IVR platform integrates with MX Telecom's SMS Gateway, allowing versatile billing via Premium SMS, especially for situations where a one off charge is more suitable than a per minute charge.
With MX Telecom's Callback Service an end user sends an SMS message into an SMS Short Code with a particular keyword, and then immediately receives one or more billed SMS messages to cover the cost of the call. Once delivery of these messages has been confirmed by MX Telecom, the user will receive a voice call on their mobile phone from the MX Telecom IVR platform. This user has therefore paid for the call before it is initiated.
The number from which the end user receives the call will have the Caller ID witheld, so the end user only associates the service with the Short Code to which they sent an SMS message. Finally, if required, the call would be subject to a forced release after a predetermined period of time (i.e. all calls would be cut off after, say, 5 minutes).
This service is similar to, but not the same as MX Telecom's SMSIVR Billing System, where the end user first calls a number and then receives a Premium SMS which bills them.
The key advantage of the Callback Service is the following:
- Traditional '090' premium rate numbers cannot usually be called from mobile phones; they are often barred by the mobile networks by default. Even if this bar is lifted, end users can still be restricted from making calls to premium rate numbers.
- Mobile phone users can, however, text into any Short Code, which would initiate an outbound call from the MX Telecom IVR platform to the end user. Therefore, numbering ranges are not an issue and tariff limitations are not an issue.
- There are some regulatory issues associated with SMSIVR Billing, which do not apply with SMS Callback services. The Callback service is effectively just a normal Premium SMS service, except that instead of receiving, for example, content via a WAP Push message, the user receives a voice call of a predetermined length.
Further Details
The Callback Billing Service requires Operator Short Codes to receive the inbound message, and an IVR account to make the outbound voice call to the mobile handset.
Callback Billing Service Pricing
For use of the service, there is both a monthly charge and a per minute charge. There is a monthly charge for use of Short Codes to receive the SMS message, and finally the cost of making an outbound call to a mobile handset must be covered. Please see the tables below for more details.
Callback Service
| Monthly access fee | Per minute per call charge |
|---|---|
| 100 GBP | 0.03 GBP |
Short Code access fees
| Type of Short Code | Monthly fee (GBP) | Networks included |
|---|---|---|
| Shared | 375 | All networks except Virgin Mobile |
| Dedicated | 1100 | All networks |
Cost of outbound voice call to UK mobile handset
| Period of week | Week day | Week evening | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (GBP per minute per call) | 0.15 | 0.14 | 0.06 |
Week day rates apply from 8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday (regardless of bank holidays)
Week evening rates apply from 18:00 to 8:00 Monday to Friday
Weekend rates apply from midnight on Saturday to midnight on Sunday night
- There is no set up charge for the Callback service, or SMS Short Code(s)
- All prices do not include VAT
- Shared Short Codes are available at tariff rates of 0.25 GBP, 0.50 GBP, 1.00 GBP, 1.50 GBP, 3 GBP and 5 GBP
Lead times are usually 1 - 3 working days for Shared Short Codes and 4-6 weeks for a Dedicated Short Code. However, if a spare live Dedicated Short Code is already available, the set up time is also 1 - 3 working days.
Standard Premium SMS outpayments and charges apply for the Callback Billing Service. Details on these can be seen for each network by clicking on the appropriate link. For full details on outpayments, please contact us.
The MX Telecom Callback Billing Service also includes access to a full live online billing system that displays information on system usage statistics.
Sign Up
To Sign up to the MX Telecom Callback Billing Service, please contact us.
