In line with its consumer-centric approach to telecoms regulation, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed mobile network operators to commence implementation of approved harmonised shortcodes for providing certain services to telecom consumers in Nigeria. The Commission has already set a deadline of 17 May 2023, for all mobile networks to fully migrate from hitherto diverse shortcodes to harmonised codes. This harmonisation is aimed at achieving uniformity in common shortcodes 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, 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. ✔️ Although USSD is an old technology, nine out of ten mobile money transactions in sub-Saharan Africa are executed through the technology. Over 100 USSD codes are currently used in Nigeria, according to the Stax USSD Directory, this harmonisation will reduce the number. The following thirteen common codes have been approved by the NCC under the new harmonised shortcodes regime. Call centre — 300 Voice mail deposit — 301 Voice mail retrieval — 302 Borrow services — 303 Stop services — 205 Check balance — 310 Credit recharge— 311 Data plan — 312 Share services — 321 Data plan balance — 323 NIN verification and NIN-SIM linkage — 996 DND — 2442 Porting services — 3232 According to the NCC, the old and new harmonised shortcodes will run concurrently up until 17 May 2023, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to full implementation of the new codes. The period between now and 17 May 2023 is provided by the commission to enable telecom consumers to familiarise themselves with the new codes for various services. The initiative, which is in line with NCC’s regulatory modernisation programme is designed to make life much easier for telecom consumers. "It will be 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)," NCC said in a statement.
