Mobile Network Operators, in compliance with the NCC Directives on harmonised Short Codes, have begun migration of existing ShortCodes to the New Unified Shortcods for all Mobile Network Operators.
Have you noticed that if you want to check your Balance using *556# on the MTN Network, you will get a "Wrong Code Message" with a list of alternative Short Codes.
Here is Why!
The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) had in March, 2023 issued directives to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to commence implementation of approved harmonised short codes (HSC) for providing certain services to telecom consumers in Nigeria.
The Commission set a deadline of May 17, 2023, for all mobile networks to fully migrate from hitherto diverse short codes to the harmonised codes.
According to NCC, the aim of using harmonised short codes is to achieve uniformity in common short codes across all networks. This means that the code for checking airtime balance, buying data, borowing Airtime or Data etc are the same across all mobile networks for the same function, irrespective of wether you are using MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile or any Mobile Network.
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The Harmonised ShortCodes will also remove the burden of memorizing different Codes for different Newtork Operators. For example, if you want to check Airtime Balance previously, you will need to recall *556# for MTN,*123# for Aitel or ask someone for Glo Airtime Balance Checking Code. Now NCC has said, let's use one single code for a particular purpose or Service for all Networks .
How to Use the New Network Short Codes (Harmonised Shortcodes)
Using the new Network ShortCodes is easy and similar to how we use the old ShortCodes. For instance, to check Airtime Balance before on MTN, you dial *556#. It follows the (* and #) format. So now,
To Check Airtime Balance on MTN, Glo, Airtel or 9Mobile, simply dial *310# and your Balance will pop up.To Buy Data on MTN, Glo, Airtel or 9Mobile, simply dial *312#, data menu will pop-up for you to select from.
To Check Data Balance on MTN, Glo, Airtel or 9Mobile, simply dial *323#, your Data Balance Menu will display for you to select from.
To Borrow Airtime or Data on MTN, Glo, Airtel or 9Mobile, simply dial *303#, the Borrowme menu will pop-up for you to chose from.
To Recharge Airtime on MTN, Glo, Airtel or 9Mobile, simply dial *311*PIN#
To Share Data on MTN, Glo, Airtel or 9Mobile, simply dial *321# and chose from the Menu.
In conclusion, the introduction of the Harmonised Network ShortCodes is a cool way of reducing the burden of memorising different Codes for different Newtork Operations or Services. In this way, one code does it all for a particular Service across all Mobile Network Operators, wether MTN, Airtel, Glo or 9Mobile.
Image: Harmonised ShortCodes as implemented by MTN on 17th May, 2023
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