Vodacom goes for double opt-in

Today Vodacom announced its double opt-in service, designed to help improve WASP services. The service will send consumers a notification with full service details including pricing information and the WASP’s contact details, information which was often misunderstood or not even made available in the past.

Today Vodacom announced the deployment of a robust technical solution to help improve WASP services. This solution known as double opt-in will ensure that customers who request WASP services receive a notification which will provide full service details including pricing information and WASP contact details. This notification was previously issued by WASPs and now Vodacom has taken full control to help improve the customer experience.

Wireless Applications Service Providers (WASP) are third party businesses that offer mobile entertainment, lifestyle and messaging services to their customers. Examples of entertainment services include ringtones and games: lifestyle services include bible verses, news and weather notifications: and an example of a messaging service includes the one time pin SMS for internet banking. In the WASP model, Vodacom is a conduit with the responsibility of delivering messages from the customer to the WASP and vice versa.

Over two years ago, Vodacom was the first network operator to launch double opt-in business rules to ensure that customers are fully aware of pricing information and details of the WASP providing the service. Since then, the double opt-in is an industry practice which is regulated by WASPA (Wireless Application Service Provider Association) and is also monitored and controlled by the network operators. In the absence of a robust technical solution, the enforcement of these rules may not be effective since the onus is on the WASP to comply. Now Vodacom has taken full ownership of this service which provides an assurance that there can be no contravention of the rule as it is now enforced by a technical solution developed by the company.

Prins Mhlanga, Managing Executive of Digital Media at Vodacom comments, ‚Vodacom is once again the first network operator to deploy this innovative solution for WASP services. This added level of approval for Vodacom customers will help provide both Vodacom and its customers with more peace of mind.‚

The service is called double opt-in because the initial service request from the customer is regarded as the first opt-in, and the confirmation of the service requested is regarded as a second opt-in. Only once the subscriber has confirmed the service request, will the customer be deemed to have subscribed for the service. The confirmation message from the customer will be of no extra cost to Vodacom customers. Now customers will have a guaranteed notification from Vodacom for all WASP services purchased.

Vodacom customers with WASP queries can dial 111 for free from their Vodacom cellphone or 082 111 from any other handset or email customercare@vodacom.co.za

Customers with WASP complaints should lodge them with WASPA at http://www.waspa.org.za/code/complaint.shtml

WASPA is also reachable on +27 11 476 7710 and the fax line is 086 606 2016.

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