> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sendpadi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Validate cable

> Verify a smart card / decoder number before paying cable TV. Providers: DSTV, GOTV, STARTIMES, SHOWMAX. Scope: `vas:read`.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Validate before **Pay cable TV**. No `Idempotency-Key` required. `provider` must be one of `DSTV` | `GOTV` | `STARTIMES` | `SHOWMAX`.


## OpenAPI

````yaml POST /api/v1/merchant/vas/cable/validate
openapi: 3.1.0
info:
  title: SendPadi Merchant API
  version: 1.0.0
  description: >-
    Merchant REST API. Authenticate with HMAC headers (`X-Api-Key`,
    `X-Timestamp`, `X-Signature`). Generate playground headers with [Sign
    requests (playground)](/guides/sign-requests).
servers:
  - url: https://api.sendpadi.com
    description: Production (test + live keys)
security: []
paths:
  /api/v1/merchant/vas/cable/validate:
    post:
      tags:
        - vas
      summary: Validate cable
      description: >-
        Verify a smart card / decoder number before paying cable TV. Providers:
        DSTV, GOTV, STARTIMES, SHOWMAX. **Scope:** `vas:read`.
      operationId: api-reference_vas_validate-cable
      parameters:
        - name: X-Timestamp
          in: header
          required: true
          description: Unix time in seconds
          schema:
            type: string
        - name: X-Signature
          in: header
          required: true
          description: HMAC-SHA256 signature
          schema:
            type: string
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              type: object
              properties:
                smartCardNumber:
                  type: string
                provider:
                  type: string
                  enum:
                    - DSTV
                    - GOTV
                    - STARTIMES
                    - SHOWMAX
                  description: Cable TV provider from List billers (`category=cable`).
              required:
                - smartCardNumber
                - provider
            example:
              smartCardNumber: '******6461'
              provider: GOTV
      responses:
        '200':
          description: OK
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                type: object
                additionalProperties: true
              example:
                success: true
                message: Smart card validated successfully
                data:
                  customerName: JOHN DOE
                  customerAddress: ''
                  accountNumber: '******6461'
              examples:
                success:
                  summary: Success
                  value:
                    success: true
                    message: Smart card validated successfully
                    data:
                      customerName: JOHN DOE
                      customerAddress: ''
                      accountNumber: '******6461'
        '400':
          description: Invalid smart card
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                type: object
                additionalProperties: true
              examples:
                invalid_smart_card:
                  summary: Invalid smart card
                  value:
                    success: false
                    message: >-
                      The Smartcard/Decoder Number you entered may be invalid,
                      Please check and only proceed if you are sure it's valid.
                    error: VALIDATION_FAILED
                    data: {}
                showmax_verification_unavailable:
                  summary: ShowMax verification unavailable
                  value:
                    success: false
                    message: >-
                      We Couldn't Reach ShowMax Verification System at the
                      moment. Please Try again
                    error: VALIDATION_FAILED
                    data: {}
              example:
                success: false
                message: >-
                  The Smartcard/Decoder Number you entered may be invalid,
                  Please check and only proceed if you are sure it's valid.
                error: VALIDATION_FAILED
                data: {}
      security:
        - ApiKeyAuth: []
components:
  securitySchemes:
    ApiKeyAuth:
      type: apiKey
      in: header
      name: X-Api-Key
      description: API key id (sp_test_… / sp_live_…)

````

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