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WhatsApp

Send the same kinds of alerts you already send by SMS — voucher codes, welcomes, usage warnings, router and billing notices — on WhatsApp. You link one business number to NettPortal, then choose SMS, WhatsApp, or both for each alert on Notifications.

In plain language

Grow → WhatsApp is where you connect the phone. Grow → Notifications is where you turn WhatsApp on or off for each message type. Connecting the number does not replace SMS; you pick the channel per alert.

Each WhatsApp send uses 1 SMS credit from your organization (same pool as SMS). Both SMS and WhatsApp for one event uses 2 credits. This is not SMS Marketing (bulk campaigns) and not a personal chat app for staff.

Where to find it

  1. Grow → WhatsApp — connect, disconnect, send a test, view send history.
  2. Grow → Notifications — SMS / WhatsApp / Both for each alert, after the line is linked.
  3. Needs viewSettings (Managers / operators typically have it). Agents cannot open these pages.

Use a dedicated business number

Link a SIM used only for this ISP — not a personal WhatsApp. A personal account can be limited or banned. If that happens, customers stop getting alerts.

  • Keep that phone on, charged, and signed in to WhatsApp.
  • Only one number can be linked at a time.
  • You must tick the on-screen warning before Connect, QR, or pairing code will work.

How to connect

  1. Open Grow → WhatsApp.
  2. Read the dedicated-number warning and confirm it.
  3. Choose Scan QR code or Pairing code (or Connect at the top, then pick a method).
  4. Finish the steps on the phone. The page updates when the line is linked.

Scan QR code

Fastest if the phone camera can see this screen. On the phone: WhatsApp → Linked devices → Link a device, then scan the code in the popup.

Pairing code

Use this when you cannot scan. Enter the WhatsApp number (local format is fine; the country code is applied from your organization country). On the phone: Linked devices → Link with phone number, then enter the 8-digit code.

If you already typed an international number such as +234…, that number is used as-is.

After it is connected

  • The connection card shows WhatsApp linked to NettPortal, plus the profile name and number.
  • Send a test opens a popup. Enter a WhatsApp number (local or with country code) and send. The test uses 1 SMS credit. The recipient must have WhatsApp.
  • History lists recent outbound sends. Older rows are removed automatically so the log stays small.
  • Use a different number disconnects the current line first, then you connect the new one. Only one line can be linked.
  • Disconnect stops WhatsApp alerts from this number until you connect again.

Turn alerts on or off

After the first successful connect, every alert type is set to Both (SMS and WhatsApp) so WhatsApp is on without turning SMS off. Change this any time on Notifications.

  1. Open Grow → Notifications.
  2. Under WhatsApp Notifications, pick SMS, WhatsApp, or Both for each group (Account & access, Hotspot & vouchers, PPPoE, Operator alerts, Billing).
  3. Save Settings.

If WhatsApp is not linked yet, that section shows Connect WhatsApp instead of the channel buttons.

What customers receive

Hotspot vouchers

SMS stays short and fixed: voucher code, password if they have one, then Usage: and the status link.

WhatsApp sends a short receipt (code, plan, price, usage link) in one of three wordings, picked at random for each buy. If there is no usage URL, that line is left off.

Who the message leaves from

Customer texts (vouchers, welcomes, usage, PPPoE) use your linked number. Router, multi-WAN, and billing alerts use NettPortal WhatsApp. Those still spend your SMS credits.

Credits

  • WhatsApp = 1 SMS credit per send, before it goes out.
  • Both = 2 credits (one for SMS, one for WhatsApp).
  • A test send uses 1 credit.
  • Buy more under Purchase SMS Credits. Own SMS API keys do not replace WhatsApp credits — WhatsApp always uses the organization SMS credit pool.

If something does not connect

  • Confirm the dedicated-number warning is ticked.
  • Keep the phone online and on WhatsApp until the page shows Connected.
  • Use Refresh if the status looks stuck.
  • If the page says WhatsApp is not available, contact NettPortal support — it is not something you turn on from Payment Settings.

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