Short codes

Know your Telecom short codes which came into effect from May 17, 2023.

Code 300 works as the harmonised code for Call Centre/Help Desk on all mobile networks; 301 for voice Mail Deposit and 302 for Voice Mail Retrieval.

Others include: 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 Registration/NIN-SIM Linkage.

The code, 2442, is retained for Do-Not-Disturb unsolicited messaging complaint management, while the common code, 3232, is also retained for Porting Services, otherwise know as Mobile Number Portability.

Some residents of Ibadan metropolis the Oyo state capital have applauded the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) on  implementation of the telecommunications harmonised short codes.

The residents including, an IT experts, however, called for deeper sensitisation programmes for people at the grassroots to ensure seamless transition.

They made the submission in a separate interviews with NAN on Saturday in Ibadan.

Dr Akin Oyeleye, the Chairman Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) Oyo state, described the implementation of the harmonised short codes a welcome development.

Oyeleye said the implementation would put a total end to irregularities in recharging of airtime and other services on telecoms service providers platforms.

According to him, having a uniform short codes across different platforms will save Nigerians, especially the older people from memorising different codes for same task across different service providers.

“The harmonised short codes by NCC will ease inter-operability across telecoms platforms, simplify recharging process and other services, “Oyeleye said.

Also Mrs Adebimpe Badmus, who deals in clothing at Bola Ige International Market, said she was not aware the commission had changed short codes on telecoms networks.

Badmus, who also applauded the development, however urged the commission to carry out more awareness programmes especially for people at the grassroots.

“It is good, at least the confusion many short codes use to create will be over but it will take time for uneducated people to adapt with the new development.

“I believe our people, especially those in the rural and underserved areas, are not aware too.

“We want the government to do more enlightenment on the codes until the time that an average Nigerian will get used to it, ” she said.

Miss Bolanle Adeniran, a recharge card said that she had been educating and helping her costumers who were not aware of the new codes.

Adeniran said, “Many customers who cannot read and understand pop up message instructing them to use harmonised short codes, have been coming back to complain that the recharge pin has issue.”

She expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon adapt to new codes.

Commenting, Mr Ibrahim Ali, a University of Ibadan(UI) student said  he had resorted to using his bank app to recharge his three phone numbers because he could not master code that works for a particular service on his three numbers.

Ali however commended the NCC for the harmonised short codes.

Mobile network operators have implemented the approved harmonised codes.