The answers below are grouped by topic; each is also available as a searchable FAQ at the bottom of this page. For anything not covered, email info@ontech.co.zm or call +260 764 552 384.
Getting started
How do I start sending bulk SMS?
Create a free customer account. It includes trial SMS credits, so you can send a test message from the dashboard or the Android app immediately. The video tutorials show a first personalised send end to end.
Do I need a contract?
No. Customer accounts are pay-as-you-go. Enterprise volumes and reseller wholesale terms are agreed separately.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes — the Ontech Bulk SMS app for Android on Google Play: sending, scheduling, campaigns, contacts and mobile money top-ups.
Credits and pricing
How do I buy SMS credits?
From Billing in the dashboard or the app, pay by MTN MoMo, Airtel Money or Zamtel Kwacha. Credits are added when the payment confirms and a receipt is emailed.
How much does an SMS cost?
Pricing is per credit at volume-based rates — the rate card is shown before you pay, and the credit cost of any send is shown before you confirm it. A standard message (up to 160 GSM characters) is one credit; longer messages, or messages with emoji or special symbols (70-character limit), are billed per segment.
Can several staff share one balance?
Yes. An organisation lets several logins draw from one shared balance while recording which member did what. Ask the platform administrator to set it up.
Sending
Which networks do you deliver to?
MTN, Airtel and Zamtel in Zambia, routed by the recipient's number prefix. See bulk SMS in Zambia.
Can I personalise messages?
Yes. Upload a spreadsheet and use its column names as merge fields in one template; the composer previews the personalised message. Contacts also carry custom fields.
Can I schedule messages?
Yes — individually or from an uploaded list, at a chosen date and time in Africa/Lusaka.
What is a sender ID and how do I get one?
The name shown as the sender, up to 11 characters. Request it under Sender IDs with a signed authorization letter on your letterhead; you are emailed when it is approved.
How do I stop sending to someone who opted out?
Add the number to your blacklist; it is suppressed on every future send automatically. A STOP keyword can route opt-out replies to your inbox so you see them.
Delivery
How do I know a message was delivered?
Every message gets a network delivery report — delivered, failed, rejected, queued or submitted — shown in the dashboard, available by API and exportable. See delivery reports.
Why does a report say submitted for a while?
The carrier accepted the message but has not yet reported the final outcome, usually because the handset is off or out of coverage and the network is retrying.
Developers
Is there an API?
Yes: HTTP GET/POST and JSON send endpoints plus status, balance, top-up, contacts, templates and plans, and an SMPP 3.4 server on port 2775. Start with the SMS API guide and the API reference.
Why does my API call return "Invalid User"?
Either the key is wrong or your server's IP address is not on the key's whitelist. Add it under API Keys.
Resellers
How do I become a reseller?
Apply online. Applications are reviewed individually, usually within two business days. The reseller programme page explains commission and what partners get.
Data protection
How is my data protected?
The Privacy & Data Protection notice explains what is collected, why and for how long, and your rights under Zambia's Data Protection Act 2021. Ontech Solutions Limited is registered with the Data Protection Commission (DP000394).