Nigerian telecom subscribers will soon be able to access the USSD service portals of the various telecom operators using the same short codes. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) announced that telecom companies have begun implementing the short code harmonization process in accordance with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) guidelines.
According to ALTON, the migration to the new codes will continue until May 17. During this time, the old and new common codes will operate simultaneously. After that time, the old codes will cease to function.
In April 2011, the NCC took over the administration and management of all short codes with the aim of providing a consistent regulatory framework and standard of practice, as well as harmonizing the database of short codes in Nigeria. To implement the project, the regulator engaged Molcom Multi Concepts Limited as a consultant in 2017. A National Short Code Plan (NSCP) was then developed for stakeholders in the ICT sector.
The harmonization should, among other things, facilitate telecom subscribers' access to convenient services from telecom operators. Subscribers with multiple SIM cards will no longer have to memorize the different codes of the respective operators to check the balance, recharge, or borrow communication credit.
