Nigerian telecoms to use same codes for services starting May 17
Nigeria’s major telecommunications companies, including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile, will implement a harmonized set of shortcodes for all telecommunications services starting May 17, 2023.
This move, directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), means that all mobile network operators will now use the same code for the same service, making it easier for Nigerians to memorize single codes for various services across all mobile networks.
Before the harmonization, each telecom operator had its unique code for checking balances, recharging, borrowing credit, etc., which required subscribers with multiple lines to memorize different codes for the respective operators.
However, with the harmonized codes, all telcos will use the same code to carry out credit recharges, balance checks, and other telecom services.
From May 17, 2023, all old codes used to recharge, subscribe for data, and check balance, among others, will cease functioning.
The NCC has asked telecom consumers to familiarize themselves with the new codes for various services.
The harmonization of shortcodes is part of the NCC’s regulatory modernization program, which is expected to improve the consumer Quality of Experience (QoE) by making life much more comfortable for telecom consumers.
With the same code across all networks, it is now easier for Nigerians to memorize single codes for various services across all mobile networks they may be using.
The following are the new codes approved by the NCC:
- 300: Call Centre/Help Desk on all mobile networks
- 301: Voice Mail Deposit
- 302: Voice Mail Retrieval
- 303: Borrow Services
- 305: STOP Service
- 310: Check Balance
- 3111: Credit Recharge
- 312: Data Plan
- 321: Share Services
- 323: Data Plan Balance
- 996: Verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration or NIN-SIM Linkage
- 2442: Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Unsolicited Messaging Complaint Management
- 3232: Porting Services, otherwise called Mobile Number Portability.
