NCC DIRECTS THE ADOPTION OF STANDARDIZED SHORTCODES AND APPROVES THEM

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered mobile network operators (MNOs) to start implementing approved harmonized shortcodes (HSC) for offering specific services to telecom users in Nigeria, in keeping with its consumer-centric approach to telecom regulation.

The Commission has already established May 17, 2023 as the cutoff date for all mobile networks to completely transition from previously disparate shortcodes to harmonised codes.

To achieve homogeneity in popular short codes across networks, harmonized short codes are used. This implies that, regardless of the network a customer uses, the code for checking airtime balance is the same across all mobile networks for the same function.

With the new codes, telecom customers can now use the same numbers to access services across networks on the more than 226 million active mobile lines in the nation.

13 common short codes have so been accepted by the Commission as part of the new harmonised short codes scheme. The following codes are among them: On all mobile networks, the standardized call center/help desk code is 300; voice mail deposit is 301; voice mail retrieval is 302; borrowing services are 303; stop service is 305; check balance is 310; and credit reload is 311.

Moreover, 312 is now used as the standard network code for data plans. 323 is for Data Plan Balance in accordance with the new direction, while 321 is for Sharing Services. The verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration/NIN-SIM Linkage is now done using the code 996. The common code, 3232, is also preserved for porting services, often known as mobile number portability, while the code 2442 is retained for the processing of Do-Not-Disturb (DND) complaints over unsolicited communications.

Up until May 17, 2023, when all networks are anticipated to have fully converted to full adoption of the new codes, the old and new harmonised short codes will operate side by side. The NCC has given telecom users until May 17, 2023, during which time they can become familiar with the new codes for various services.