From May 17, 2023, all telecommunications services provided by Nigeria's major telecoms providers, including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile, will use a uniform set of shortcodes. All mobile network operators will now use the same code for services, thanks to the decision made by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Nigerians would find it simpler to memorize single codes for a variety of services across all mobile networks.

Each telecom operator had separate codes for checking balances, recharging, borrowing credit, etc. prior to the harmonisation. 

Multiple-line subscribers were required to learn various operator codes as a result. To conduct credit recharges, balance checks, and other telecom services, all telcos will now use the same code thanks to the harmonised codes.

What will happen to the old codes for each network ?.

All previous codes used for services like data subscriptions, recharges, and balance checks, among other things, will stop working, according to a report dated May 17, 2023. As a result, the NCC has urged telecom users to become familiar with the new codes for various services.

Why are there new shortcodes?

The NCC's regulatory reform effort, which includes the standardisation of shortcodes, aims to enhance the experience of telecom users. 

Shortcodes to be used across all networks, listed.

Here are the new codes that NCC has approved. 

• 300 is the 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. 

• 3111 is for credit recharge. 

• 312 is for Data Plan. 

• 321 is for Share services. 

• 323 is for Data Plan Balance. 

• 996 is now for verification of subscriber identity module (SIM) registration or NIN-SIM linkage. 

• 2442 is retained for Do-Not-Disturb (DND) unsolicited messaging complaint management.

• 3232 is also retained for porting services, otherwise called mobile number portability.

We'd just want to conclude this post here, but it would be wiser to always look around or come back to it to learn about other recently approved NCC short codes. 

In order to keep you informed on the most recent technological advancements in networking, we will always keep you posted on any new NCC Harmonized Code.