MTN Collect SMS

MTN Collect Call

Dial the prefix *121* before the receiver's number, e.g. *121*08031234567#
Receiver will get a network notification.
Receiver pays for the call upon accepting

MTN Collect SMS

With the new MTN Collect SMS, you can now stay in touch no matter what. This service allows MTN customers with low airtime, or those who do not want to pay for sending a particular text message, to send an SMS to another MTN customer free of charge. The receiver however, must accept charges for the inbound message.

The service thus affords an MTN customer (the recipient) to bear the cost of an incoming SMS from another MTN customer (e.g. family, child, employee, friend etc.).

Simply send your SMS to 38701 followed by the receivers phone number e.g 38701080312348678

This service is only available for MTN to MTN customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MTN Collect SMS?

MTN Collect SMS is a service where subscriber "A" can send a message without cost to subscriber "B" if subscriber "B" accepts to pay for the message. If subscriber "B" choses not to pay for the message, he has the option of ignoring the offer.

What are the benefits of this service?

This service will enable customers who lack the available airtime , or do not want to pay for a particular text message, to send SMS to another MTN customer free of charge provided the recipient of that SMS accepts to pay for the inbound messages.
The service affords an MTN customer (the recipient) to bear the cost of an incoming text message call from another MTN customer.
Customers can communicate anywhere and anytime even if they have no airtime to communicate.

What is the maximum number of character allowed per SMS?

Each Connect SMS sent by Customer "A" will be 160 characters maximum.

What happens if I send more than 160 characters?

Any extra characters above 160 sent will be rejected and the subscriber will get SMS advising him/her to compose SMS within 160 characters.

Can I sponsor an SMS when roaming?

No. Roaming sponsors and beneficiaries are excluded from this service due to roaming charges involved.

What happens if I reject the offer or make a mistake while responding to customer A’s request?

If Customer B (Sponsor) declines paying for the Collect SMS message (A will receive a message saying B has declined paying) or if B texts any other response aside from Yes, Y, No or N (B subscriber will receive a message that he sent an unrecognized command), s/he will not be charged for Collect SMS, and the text message from Customer A will not be delivered.

Is there a timeline for responding to the SMS request from a beneficiary?

Customer A’s unread/unaccepted Collect SMS request will expire after 24 hours from when Customer A initiates the request and the expired Collect SMS request will be discarded.

At what point will I be charged as a sponsor?

You will be charged real-time as soon as you (Sponsor) accept to pay for the SMS by replying "Yes" to an approved short code.

What if the recipient declines paying for the SMS?

If the recipient declines paying for the SMS s/he will reply by sending "No" to an approved short code which will not be charged and the text message from Customer A will not be delivered

Will my message (s) be delivered if my sponsor does not have sufficient airtime in his/her account?

The transaction will not be done and the sponsor will receive the following SMS: "Y'ello. Sorry, your credit is too low to accept this Collect SMS. Please load airtime and try again, thank you"!

Will my SMS be delivered in 2 pages if I send more than 160 characters?

No. The SMS will not be delivered. Instead, you will receive SMS instructing you to send within the approved 160 characters.

Will I enjoy special SMS rate if I am on Family and Friends, MTN Zone, or other MTN bundles?

No. Discounts are not applicable to MTN Collect SMS.

What should I do if I intend sending more than 160 characters?

You have to send a separate request for every SMS within the approved 160 characters which the sponsor will pay for and receive separately.

Will the sponsor be charged if s/he declines sponsoring the incoming SMS?

No. The sponsor will not be charged and the SMS will not be delivered.

Value Added Services