A harmonised set of shortcodes for all telecommunications services is set to be adopted by Nigeria’s major telecommunications companies, including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile from May 17, 2023. According to Legit, the move, directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), means all mobile network operators will now use the same code for services.
This will make it easier for Nigerians to memorise single codes for various services across all mobile networks. Before the harmonisation, each telecom operator had its unique code for checking balances, recharging, borrowing credit, etc. This required subscribers with multiple lines to memorise different codes for the respective operators. However, with the harmonised codes, all telcos will now use the same code to carry out credit recharges, balance checks, and other telecom services.
According to a report from May 17, 2023, all old codes used to recharge, subscribe for data, and check balance, among others, will cease functioning. The NCC has therefore asked telecom consumers to familiarise themselves with the new codes for various services. The harmonisation of shortcodes is part of the NCC’s regulatory modernisation program, which is expected to improve telecom consumers’ quality of experience (QoE).
Here are the new codes as approved by the NCC
*300 is the 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
*3111 is for credit recharge.
*312 is for Data Plan
*321 is for Share services.
*323 is for Data Plan Balance
*996 is now for verification of subscriber identity module (SIM) registration or NIN-SIM linkage.
*2442 is retained for Do-Not-Disturb (DND) unsolicited messaging complaint management.
*3232 is also retained for porting services, otherwise called mobile number portability.
