NCC fixes May 17 for telcos’ final migration to harmonised codes

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set May 17, 2023, as the deadline for all mobile networks to fully migrate from the diverse shortcodes to harmonised codes.

In a statement on Monday, the NCC said the old and new harmonised shortcodes would run concurrently until May 17, 2023, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to full implementation of the new codes. 

The period between now and May 17 is provided by the NCC to enable telecom consumers to familiarise themselves with the new codes for various services, the statement signed by NCC’s director of public affairs, Reuben Mouka, said. 

NCC had earlier directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to commence implementation of approved harmonised shortcodes (HSC) for providing certain services to telecom consumers in the country.

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Consequently, under the new harmonised shortcodes regime, 13 common short codes have been approved by the commission. They include: 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.