The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a new directive aimed at harmonizing service short codes for mobile phone users. The Commission said all mobile network operators (MNOs) have to implement the approved harmonized short codes (HSC) before the end of May.
A statement issued on Monday by NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said in all, 13 harmonized short codes have been approved for various services across mobile networks.
For years, MNOs have been running multiple codes generated individually by each, for services such as data purchase, recharging airtime etc. The NCC said the harmonization will bring uniformity for mobile subscribers across all networks for more than 226 million active mobile lines in the country.
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This means mobile subscribers can now use the same codes to access services across the networks, making it easier for them to memorize the codes.
“Consequently, under the new harmonized short codes regime, 13 common short codes have been approved by the Commission. They include the following codes: 300 to be used as the harmonized code for Call Centre/Help Desk on all mobile networks; 301 for voice Mail Deposit; 302 for Voice Mail Retrieval; 303 for Borrow Services; 305 for STOP Service; 310 for Check Balance, and 311 for Credit Recharge.
“Also, the common code for Data Plan across networks is now 312. In line with the new direction, 321 is for Share Services, while 323 is for Data Plan Balance. The code, 996, is now for Verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration/NIN-SIM Linkage. The code, 2442, is retained for Do-Not-Disturb (DND) unsolicited messaging complaint management, while the common code, 3232, is also retained for Porting Services, otherwise called Mobile Number Portability,” he said.
Muoka added that the exercise is expected to end on May 17, 2023, but the old and new codes will run concurrently until then. He explained that the window is enough for both providers and consumers to familiarize themselves with the new codes, and for telcos to implement the newly approved codes.
“The initiative, which is in line with NCC’s regulatory modernization programme, is essentially to make life much easier for telecom consumers, as it is now easier for Nigerians to memorize single codes for various services across all mobile networks they may be using, thereby improving consumer quality of experience (QoE).
“In addition, the new policy will provide opportunity for licensees in the Value-Added Services (VAS) segment of the telecoms sector to be able to use freed-up/old codes for other services, as well as enhance cohesive regulatory framework in keeping with world-class practices,” he said.
