NCC Introduces Harmonised Short Codes for Mobile Networks

By Iyojo Ameh

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 the country.

In a statement via its twitter handle on Tuesday, the NCC said 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.

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.