Nigeria’s major telecom companies (Glo, Airtel, MTN , and 9mobile) are set to implement a unified set of shortcodes for all telecom services.
The move as directed by the NCC is to make it easier for Nigerians to remember a single code for different services across all networks.
All old codes for recharging, data subscription, and balance checking will no longer work from May 17, 2023.
Nigeria’s major telecommunications companies, including Glo, Airtel, MTN, and 9mobile, will implement a harmonised set of shortcodes for all telecommunications services from May 17, 2023.
The move, as directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), means all mobile network operators will now use the same code for services.
NCC mandated all telecommunication companies to have the same code.
The purpose, according to the regulatory body is to 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.
What happened to the old codes for each network
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).