The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced the commencement of harmonised short codes across all networks.
The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, in a statement on Tuesday, said this was in accordance with the regulatory modernization initiative by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
NAN reports that the harmonisation of short codes entails making the common short codes used by customers uniform across all networks.
It simply means that the code for recharging a line, for example, can be used across all mobile networks for the same function.
He said that the harmonisation of short codes is aimed at implementing a streamlined process for common short codes across the industry.
Adebayo said the initiative would make life easier for Nigerians through the memorization of single codes for various services across all networks, as well as by providing a cohesive regulatory framework that is consistent with global best practices.
“Following the directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Association hereby informs the general public that the network operators have begun implementing the short codes, working closely with the NCC.”
“The commission has provided adequate time for subscribers to get used to this new development.
“We are confident this will enhance the customer experience across networks,” he said.
Adebayo said the migration, which was to be concluded by May 17, 2023, would run concurrently, after which the old codes would cease to operate.
He said that the proposed harmonised short codes included call center/help desk (300), voice mail deposit (301), voice mail retrieval (302), and borrow services (303).
The chairman said that others were stop services (304), check balance (310), credit recharge (311), data plan (312), share services (321), data plan balance (323), verification of SIM registration (NIN) and SIM linkage (996), and porting services (MNP) (2442).
(NAN)
