Margarita Lazova presents the topic of SMS payments in Bulgaria—benefits, principles, and trends.
There is great diversity in using SMS on the internet. Expanded account features, online games, classified ad websites, directories. The paid service requires careful consideration, script modifications, registration, and selection of a prefix of at least three characters. Companies that provide SMS payments offer a gateway. This works when the user sends the prefix from a 4-digit number, it reaches the website, is processed by the scripts, and the person receives the paid service. The website chooses whether to have a return SMS or not. Each website receives real-time statistics on the number of SMSs. What money is made? The website keeps between 40–60% of the SMS price. Profits depend on volumes. Some of the SMSs that are not paid to mobile operators are not paid to websites. This is up to 8% of the total, specifically with Globul. New trends—there are already 4 and 5 leva available now (without VAT). In Romania there are also 10 euro SMSs. This makes it possible for more services to be paid for online. The shift is not towards international SMSs. Growth is being observed despite the crisis. The most important thing is the correctness of payment. The other important thing is that the service works with quality, which should be verified by the SMS operator you work with, as well as by the GSM operator. It is important to review the tariffs, because every cent matters, especially when calculated for a whole year.