Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have all activated the use of the new short codes approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as part of the efforts to improve telecommunications services in the country.
There are 13 common short codes under the new harmonised regime approved by the Commission.
The old and new harmonised short codes are to run concurrently until May 17, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to the new codes.
NCC, which is Nigeria’s regulatory body in the telecommunication sector, had directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to implement the approved harmonised short codes (HSC) for providing certain telecom services to consumers in Nigeria.
The aim, NewsSpecng gathered was to achieve
uniformity in common short codes across networks.
The code for checking airtime balance is the same across all mobile networks for the same function, irrespective of the network a consumer uses.
The harmonised codes include: 300 to be used as the harmonised 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.
