USSD
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Telecom
| Stands for | Unstructured Supplementary Service Data |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, a telecom abbreviation.
GSM protocol for real-time text sessions between a phone and the operator's systems, started by dialing codes such as *123# to check balance, buy data bundles or use menu-driven services. It works on any mobile phone without internet access.
Example: Dial *544# to see your remaining data via USSD.
Usage notes
Unlike SMS, USSD messages are not stored; the session stays open while the user navigates menus, then closes. Mobile money services across Africa and South Asia, including Kenya's M-Pesa, launched in 2007, rely on USSD menus so that basic phones can transfer money. Sessions time out after a short period, often around two minutes or less.
Related abbreviations
More telecom abbreviations
- T1 – Transmission System 1
- TDD – Time-division duplex
- TDMA – Time-division multiple access
- TTY – Teletypewriter (Unix terminal)
- UC – Unified communications
- UMTS – Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
- UWB – Ultra-wideband
- VDSL – Very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line
- VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol
- VoLTE – Voice over LTE
- VoNR – Voice over New Radio
- VoWiFi – Voice over Wi-Fi