The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved harmonized short codes (HSC) for the provision of telecom services to Nigerian consumers and directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to begin implementation.
According to the NCC, a deadline of May 17, 2023 has been given for all mobile networks to fully migrate from previous short codes to harmonized codes.
The harmonized short codes use is aimed at achieving uniformity in common short codes across networks. Meaning that the code for checking airtime balance will be the same across all mobile networks for the same function, irrespective of the network a consumer uses.
Thus granting over 226 million telecom users access to universal short codes
So far, only 13 of the harmonized short codes have been approved across all networks by the commission. These include
300- For call center/help desk
301- For voice mail deposit
302- For voicemail retrieval
303- For borrow service
305- For stop service
310- For check balance
311- For credit recharge
312- For data plans
321- For share service
323- For data balance
996- For SIM verification registration/ NIN sim linkage
2442- For do not disturb (DND)
3232- For porting services (Mobile number portability)
The commission has allowed telecom companies to run their old codes alongside the new ones till the 17th of May, 2023 before full migration is implemented, so as to allow consumers to get familiarized with the new codes for various services.
The NCC’s initiative behind the change in short codes is to make life easier for telecom users as no matter the network they find themselves using, they only need to know one particular code other than having various codes for various networks, thereby improving consumer quality of experience.
It will also provide opportunity for licenses in the value added services (VAS) segment of telecommunication to be able to use their old codes for other services.