While on one hand both USSD and SMS appear similar technically and functionally, there are considerable and significant differences in their technologies and features.

The basic difference between the two technologies is that while USSD is session-based, SMS uses the store-and-forward approach.

When a Subscriber accesses a USSD-based application, a session is established, which remains open over a radio connection till the Subscriber terminates the application.

The table below presents a feature-based comparison of both the technologies.

The winning approach from the Operator’s point of view is to combine USSD with SMS by setting new quality standards.