IN its bid to improve telecommunication services, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to implement the approved harmonised short codes (HSC) for providing certain telecom services to consumers in Nigeria.
The development was disclosed in a statement released by the Commission via its twitter handle on Tuesday, March 14.
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According to the NCC, the old and new harmonised short codes will run concurrently until May 17, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to full implementation of the new codes.
Parts of the statement read: “The use of harmonised short codes is aimed at achieving uniformity in common short codes across networks. This means 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.
“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, under the new harmonised short codes regime, 13 common short codes have been approved by the Commission. They include the following codes: 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.”
NCC added that the window period, until May 17, is to enable telecom consumers to familiarise themselves with the new codes for various services.
The statement stressed that the initiative, which is in line with NCC’s regulatory modernisation programme, is essentially to make life much easier for telecom consumers, noting that it is easier for Nigerians to memorise single codes for various services across all mobile networks.
“In addition, 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.”
Meanwhile, subscribers who reacted to the development on Twitter commended the initiative, describing it as an excellent approach to improving telecommunications services in the country.
A Twitter user, ‘AsksWatchdog’ quoted the tweeted: “Excellent stuff, well done NCC. No need to remember different codes for different networks anymore.”
Another twitter user who is also a journalist, @AkinpeluYusuf, wrote: “Irrespective of the network you use, you can now check your balance and perform other operations using these harmonised codes.”
@IbrahimShehu tweeted: “This is a welcome development, if implemented.”
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M