What Is A WASP Subscription

Last checked: 26 June 2026

A WASP subscription is a mobile content or value-added service that can charge your airtime, prepaid balance, top-up account, or mobile bill through your cellphone number. WASP stands for Wireless Application Service Provider. In South Africa, WASPA describes a WASP as a provider or distributor of mobile content and services such as SMS alerts, games, competitions, bulk messaging, and similar mobile services. (WASPA)

The practical problem is simple: if your airtime is disappearing and you did not knowingly buy data, make calls, send SMSs, transfer airtime, or subscribe to a service, a WASP subscription or mobile content service is one possible cause.

A WASP subscription is not always fraud. Some services are legitimate and may have been activated through a webpage, SMS, app, competition, advert, or direct carrier billing process. The issue is that users often only notice the service after repeated airtime deductions.

Quick Code/Menu Answer

There is no single universal “WASP subscription code” for all South African users. The correct menu depends on the network linked to the SIM that is being charged.

Network	Current check, stop, or block route	Use this for
Vodacom	`135997#` or SMS `STOP ALL` to `31050`	View, stop, or block content services
MTN	`1415#` or `*155#`	Manage content services, premium-rated services, and third-party service blocks
Cell C	`1331#`	Block existing and future content billing
Telkom	Telkom app, Self-Service portal, or `180`	Manage or block content services and subscriptions

WASPA’s losing-airtime guidance lists network-specific options for Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom, including Vodacom’s STOP ALL SMS route, MTN’s content-services menus, Cell C’s *133*1#, and Telkom’s app or 180 route. (WASPA)

Before using a cancellation route, confirm that the deduction is actually linked to a WASP or content service. Airtime can also disappear because of out-of-bundle data, premium SMS, USSD sessions, airtime transfers, app-store billing, direct carrier billing, or normal mobile usage. WASPA specifically advises users to check more than one possible cause when airtime is disappearing. (WASPA)

WASP vs Content Services

A WASP is the provider or distributor behind a mobile service. A content service is the type of service that may appear in your network menu. In everyday use, South Africans often use “WASP subscription”, “content service”, “VAS”, and “mobile subscription” to describe the same airtime-deduction problem.

Term	What it means	What the user usually sees
WASP	Wireless Application Service Provider	A company or service provider linked to mobile content
Content service	A mobile content or value-added service	“Content Services” or “Subscriptions” in a network menu
Subscription service	A recurring paid service	Daily, weekly, or monthly deductions
Premium-rated service	A service charged above normal mobile rates	Premium SMS, paid USSD, competitions, voting, or special content
Direct carrier billing	A payment method using your mobile number or bill	App, streaming, or digital-service charges billed to airtime or account

Vodacom explains that WASPs can provide services through SMS, MMS, apps, or browsers, including games, music, video-on-demand, ringtones, news, and sports updates. (VodacomNow)

WASP vs Direct Carrier Billing

A WASP subscription is about the service provider and the mobile content being supplied. Direct carrier billing is about the payment method.

With direct carrier billing, the charge is added to your mobile account or deducted from prepaid airtime instead of being paid by bank card. Vodacom’s Add to Bill information explains that purchases can be added to a contract account or deducted from prepaid airtime. (Vodacom) Telkom also describes direct carrier billing subscription management through the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal. (Telkom)

This matters because not every airtime deduction is a traditional WASP subscription. Some charges may come from app stores, streaming services, games, or digital subscriptions that use mobile billing. If your network menu says there are no WASP services, still check direct carrier billing and app subscriptions.

Provider-by-Provider Options

Vodacom

For Vodacom, start with *135*997#. Vodacom says this menu can be used to manage content services, cancel content services, or block future content-service purchases and subscriptions. (Vodacom)

Vodacom also lists SMS STOP ALL to 31050 as a way to cancel WASP services. (VodacomNow)

Use the Vodacom route if:

your Vodacom airtime is disappearing;
the charge appears as a content service;
you want to cancel all active WASP/content services;
you want to block future content-service subscriptions;
Add to Bill or mobile billing appears on your account.

For more detailed next steps, use stop WASP subscriptions.

MTN

For MTN, WASPA lists *141*5# as the route to content services and *155# for premium-rated service blocking and third-party-message options. (WASPA)

Use the MTN route if:

your MTN airtime drops after recharge;
you see premium-rated service references;
you need to check or manage content services;
you want to block future premium-rated or third-party service activity.

If airtime keeps dropping after cancellation, use why is my airtime disappearing.

Cell C

For Cell C, WASPA lists *133*1# as the USSD route to block existing and future content billing. (WASPA)

Use the Cell C route if:

deductions are happening on a Cell C SIM;
you want to check content-billing status;
you want to block current and future content billing.

Telkom

For Telkom, WASPA says users can block WASP subscriptions in the Telkom app by going to My Products > Manage > Protect Your Mobile Number and setting the protection option to On. WASPA also lists My Products > Subscriptions > Content Services for premium content subscriptions, and says users can dial 180 and follow the prompts. (WASPA)

Telkom’s direct carrier billing page also says subscriptions can be managed through the Telkom Mobile App or Self-Service portal by selecting the product, mobile number, subscription, and content services. (Telkom)

Use the Telkom route if:

the deduction is on a Telkom mobile number;
the charge appears under content services;
you want to block future content-service billing;
the issue may be linked to direct carrier billing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Check the SIM and network first

Use the phone and SIM that is losing airtime. Do not try to cancel a Vodacom content service from an MTN SIM, or an MTN content service from a Telkom SIM.

Before cancelling, check:

which network the number uses;
whether it is prepaid, top-up, or contract;
when the airtime deduction happens;
how much is being deducted;
whether SMS messages mention a service name, price, or short code;
whether the charge appears after using a browser, app, game, or competition page.

2. Check SMS messages for evidence

Look for SMS messages that mention:

“welcome”;
“subscription”;
“content service”;
“premium service”;
“billing”;
“STOP”;
a short code;
a daily, weekly, or monthly price;
a customer care contact.

WASPA advises users with disappearing airtime to check SMS history for welcome messages or reminder messages, and to ask the network what services are being charged. (WASPA)

Do not delete these messages until the issue is resolved. They may help you identify the provider or support a dispute.

3. Open the correct network menu

Use your network’s current route:

Vodacom: *135*997# or SMS STOP ALL to 31050
MTN: *141*5# or *155#
Cell C: *133*1#
Telkom: Telkom app, Self-Service portal, or 180

Menu wording can change, so follow labels such as:

Content Services
Manage Content Services
Subscriptions
Premium Rated Services
Add to Bill
Stop All
Block
Protect Your Mobile Number

4. Cancel unwanted services

If a service appears and you do not recognise it, cancel it through the menu. If the menu offers “Stop All”, use it only if you want to cancel every active content service on that number.

After cancelling, save:

the confirmation SMS;
the date and time;
the service name;
the amount deducted;
the short code or billing reference;
screenshots of the menu where possible.

5. Block future content-service billing

Cancellation stops the current service. Blocking helps prevent new content-service subscriptions from being added later.

Vodacom says users can block future content-service purchases and subscriptions through *135*997# or the VodaPay app. (Vodacom) WASPA lists Cell C’s *133*1# for blocking existing and future content billing, and Telkom’s “Protect Your Mobile Number” setting for blocking WASP subscriptions. (WASPA)

6. Monitor the number after cancellation

After cancelling or blocking, check whether airtime is still being deducted. If it is, the problem may not be the same WASP subscription. It may be:

another active content service;
out-of-bundle mobile data;
a direct carrier billing subscription;
premium SMS;
paid USSD usage;
airtime transfer;
an app-store subscription;
a delayed cancellation;
a second SIM or linked number.

Use direct carrier billing South Africa if the charge looks like an app, streaming, store, or third-party digital-service payment.

Common Problems and Fixes

The code does not work

Check that you are using the correct code for your network. If the code still fails, restart the phone, move to a stronger signal area, and try again. If the menu has changed, follow the wording rather than relying only on old option numbers.

The menu says there are no active services

If no content services appear but airtime still disappears, check data usage, app subscriptions, direct carrier billing, premium SMS, and airtime transfers. WASPA’s guidance makes it clear that disappearing airtime can have more than one cause. (WASPA)

The service cancels but returns later

Use the block option for future content services. Also avoid clicking unknown SMS links, competition pages, pop-up adverts, or “claim prize” pages that ask you to confirm with your mobile number.

No confirmation SMS arrives

Do not assume the service has been cancelled unless you receive confirmation or the network confirms it. Try the menu again later, or contact your network and ask them to confirm the status of all content services on the number.

Airtime is still disappearing after cancellation

Keep a record of the deduction times and amounts. Then contact the network and ask:

What is billing this number?
Is it a WASP, content service, direct carrier billing, data usage, premium SMS, or USSD charge?
What company or service name is linked to the charge?
When did the billing start?
Can the network cancel it?
Can future content-service billing be blocked?
Can they provide a billing reference?

If the charge appears to be unwanted WASP billing, use report WASP subscription.

You want a refund

Do not assume a refund is guaranteed. First cancel the service, save evidence, and ask your network or the service provider to investigate. WASPA provides an unwanted-billing form for users who believe they are being charged for WASP services without permission, and says it will try to make sure the services being charged are cancelled based on the information supplied. (WASPA)

You receive suspicious subscription messages

Do not share your banking PIN, card PIN, OTP, app password, ID document, selfie, or card details through an SMS, WhatsApp, or unknown link. A legitimate cancellation route should not require your private banking credentials.

If the message looks suspicious, save it and report it through your network or the relevant WASPA route.

Official Support Route

Start with your mobile network because the network can usually see what is billing the number. Ask the operator to identify the service, cancel it, and block future content-service billing where available.

If the issue appears to involve unwanted WASP billing, WASPA provides a consumer support process and an unwanted-billing form. WASPA’s consumer support page lists support options including reporting unwanted billing, reporting SMS spam or scams, lodging a complaint, and using the Do Not Contact registry. (WASPA)

When escalating, include:

your mobile network;
the affected mobile number;
service name if known;
dates and times of deductions;
amounts deducted;
screenshots;
SMS messages;
any cancellation confirmation;
network reference number.

If you understand what a WASP subscription is and now need action steps, use these related guides:

FAQs

What is a WASP subscription?

A WASP subscription is a recurring mobile content or value-added service linked to your cellphone number. It may charge your airtime, prepaid balance, top-up account, or contract bill. WASPA describes WASPs as providers or distributors of mobile content and services such as SMS alerts, games, competitions, and bulk messaging. (WASPA)

What is the code for a WASP subscription?

There is no single code for every network. Vodacom users can start with *135*997#; MTN users can use *141*5# or *155#; Cell C users can use *133*1#; and Telkom users can use the Telkom app, Self-Service portal, or 180, based on WASPA’s current consumer guidance. (WASPA)

How can users check whether a WASP subscription is active?

Use the content-service or subscription menu for the network that owns the SIM. Also check SMS messages for service names, welcome messages, prices, short codes, and cancellation instructions. If you cannot identify the charge, ask your network what service is billing the number.

Does a WASP subscription always mean a scam?

No. Some WASP and content services are legitimate. The problem is unwanted, unclear, accidental, or disputed billing. If you do not recognise the service, cancel it, block future content-service billing where possible, and keep evidence.

What should users do if airtime is still disappearing after cancellation?

Check whether another service is active, then investigate data usage, direct carrier billing, premium SMS, app subscriptions, USSD charges, or airtime transfers. If the issue continues, contact your network and use why is my airtime disappearing.

Can users block future content-service subscriptions?

Yes, some networks provide blocking routes. Vodacom says users can block future content-service purchases and subscriptions through *135*997# or the VodaPay app. (Vodacom) WASPA also lists Cell C and Telkom blocking routes in its losing-airtime guidance. (WASPA)

Can users get a refund for unwanted subscription charges?

A refund is not guaranteed. Cancel the service first, keep the evidence, ask the network or service provider to investigate, and escalate if needed. If you believe you were charged without permission, use the relevant network support route and then the WASPA unwanted-billing process.

Where should users report suspicious subscription messages?

Report suspicious messages to your network first and keep screenshots or SMS records. If the issue involves unwanted WASP billing, use report WASP subscription. Never share PINs, OTPs, banking passwords, card details, or ID documents through unsafe links or unknown support channels.