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“Thank you Bidvest team for your great service throughout 2024.”
- MTN
“Working with the Bidvest team is a real pleasure. We've thoroughly enjoyed partnering with a local provider for our business' WhatsApp profile - invoicing is simple and our templates are loaded and approved speedily. Prepaid24 would highly recommend Bidvest. Such a seamless process from setup to production!”
- Prepaid24
“We're incredibly grateful to the Bidvest Data Team who go above and beyond to support us with vital customer communication. Their commitment and innovation has kept us at the forefront of electronic customer engagement.”
- Sanlam Retail Mass
“Dear Bidvest team, Just wanted to take the time to say a very special thank you to TEAM BIDVEST. Everyone at OUP thanks all the people involved over the last few weeks and trust me, everyone in our organization now knows how much we can depend on Bidvest and we're all truly grateful for your efforts. Your responsiveness to our changing needs and requests is truly appreciated”
- Oxford
Explore the benefits and implementation strategies of zero-rated data for SMS and SVSMS in South Africa. Learn how it can transform enterprise communication by reducing costs and improving accessibility.
As businesses in South Africa continue to digitize operations, the demand for cost-effective communication solutions becomes paramount. Zero-rated data is a transformative approach that allows enterprises to leverage SMS and SVSMS services without incurring data costs. This detailed guide explores the implications of zero-rated data for enterprises, how it works, and the strategic advantages it offers to IT decision-makers, compliance officers, and operational heads.
Zero-rated data refers to mobile data usage that is not charged to the user’s data allowance. This is particularly important for SMS (Short Message Service) and SVSMS (Simplified Very Short Message Service) as it enables enterprises to engage with customers and clients without the burden of data fees. Zero-rated SMS services help companies maintain essential communication routes, especially in underserved demographics, creating a pathway to enhanced customer engagement.
Zero-rated services are typically provided through partnerships between mobile network operators (MNOs) and service providers like Bidvest Data. These agreements allow specific services, such as sending or receiving SMS messages or SVSMS, to be exempt from data charges.
Several enterprises across South Africa have successfully implemented zero-rated SMS systems to enhance their communication strategies:
A South African bank leveraged zero-rated SMS to send transaction notifications and updates to clients without impacting their data usage, resulting in a 30% increase in customer engagement on critical account updates.
A major healthcare provider employed zero-rated SVSMS to issue appointment reminders and medication notifications, significantly improving patient adherence rates while ensuring no additional financial burden on recipients.
While zero-rated data presents numerous advantages, some challenges may arise, including:
Adopting zero-rated data strategies for SMS and SVSMS communication presents a unique opportunity for South African enterprises to enhance customer reach, improve operational efficiencies, and drive business growth. By collaborating with Bidvest Data and mobile network operators, businesses can position themselves as leaders in innovative communication practices.
Get started today and see immediate results
“Thank you Bidvest team for your great service throughout 2024.”
- MTN
“Working with the Bidvest team is a real pleasure. We've thoroughly enjoyed partnering with a local provider for our business' WhatsApp profile - invoicing is simple and our templates are loaded and approved speedily. Prepaid24 would highly recommend Bidvest. Such a seamless process from setup to production!”
- Prepaid24
“We're incredibly grateful to the Bidvest Data Team who go above and beyond to support us with vital customer communication. Their commitment and innovation has kept us at the forefront of electronic customer engagement.”
- Sanlam Retail Mass
“Dear Bidvest team, Just wanted to take the time to say a very special thank you to TEAM BIDVEST. Everyone at OUP thanks all the people involved over the last few weeks and trust me, everyone in our organization now knows how much we can depend on Bidvest and we're all truly grateful for your efforts. Your responsiveness to our changing needs and requests is truly appreciated”
- Oxford
Discover our comprehensive solution features designed to transform your business communication experience

Bidvest Data sends on average more than 10 million personalized SMS/SV SMS messages per month, with daily peaks exceeding 2 million messages. This comprises mainly of transactional notifications and hosted transactional data.

The SMS channel delivers a secure, shortened personalized URL to the consumer, directing them to their unique microsite. All consumer activity can be tracked.

PDF documents, HTML content, videos and animations can be hosted on our Zero Rated Data domains. Reverse billing of data on these domains ensure access for end users to content at no cost. Bidvest Data offers this service on all South African and Namibian mobile networks.

Bidvest Data offers custom-built, screen adaptive, HTML environments, enabling features like animation, rotating GIFs, and interactive buttons.

Our service includes automated large file batch sending through sFTP data transfer. The data can selectively drive template messaging. Near real-time SMS sending is facilitated through our API, using templates or dynamic text.

Where another channel in our omnichannel platform is unsuccessful in delivering a message, we can automatically fail over to SMS. Priority and fail over channels are configurable.

Bidvest Data provides near-real-time and periodic aggregate batched reporting on consumer engagement, including link tracking, SMS and SV SMS delivery status, and customized reports on microsite access.
Get answers to common questions about Sms And Svsms