To strengthen consumer-centric approach to telecoms regulation, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to commence implementation of approved harmonized short codes (HSC) for providing certain services to telecom consumers in Nigeria.

The use of harmonized short codes according to the commission is aimed at achieving uniformity in common short codes across networks.

The telecom regulator has also insisted on its deadline of May 17, 2023, for all mobile networks to fully migrate from hitherto diverse short codes to the harmonised codes.

This, the commission revealed that the code for checking airtime balance is the same across all mobile networks for the same function, irrespective of the network a consumer uses, adding that with the new codes, the telecom consumers using the over 226 million active mobile lines in the country, can now use the same codes to access services across the networks.

Consequently, the Commission in a statement said under the new harmonised short codes regime, it has approved 13 common short codes

These it said include: 300 codes 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.

The regulator also said the common code for Data Plan across networks is now 312 while 321 is for Share Services, 323 is for Data Plan Balance in line with the new direction

The code 996, it said will henceforth be for Verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration/NIN-SIM Linkage, Code, 2442 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.

The commission hinted that the old and new harmonised short codes will run concurrently up until the May 17, 2023, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to full implementation of the new codes.

The statement signed by the head of Information Dr Reuben Mouka said the period between now and May 17, 2023 is provided by the NCC to enable telecom consumers to familiarise themselves with the new codes for various services.

NCC said the initiative, which is in line with it’s regulatory modernisation programme, is essentially to make life much easier for telecom consumers, as it is now easier for Nigerians to memorise single codes for various services across all mobile networks they may be using, thereby improving consumer quality of experience (QoE).

The Commission added that 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.