By The Association of Licenced Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) recently announced that all network operators in the country have started implementing harmonised shortcodes. This new development means that customers can now use uniform codes to perform bank transactions, purchase airtime and data, and check their account balances across all networks.
Previously, every commercial bank and telco in Nigeria had distinct USSD codes for their various services, making it cumbersome and confusing for customers to memorise the different codes. However, with harmonised shortcodes, customers can now use a single code for multiple services, making it more convenient and efficient.
The harmonisation of shortcodes is in line with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) initiative for regulatory modernisation, aimed at enhancing the quality of service delivery to customers. The provision of adequate time for migration to the new common codes ensures that customers have ample time to adjust and adapt to the changes.
According to Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman of ALTON, the initiative will make Nigerians’ lives easier by requiring them to memorise a single code for multiple services across all networks. He added that the old and new common codes would continue to work together until the migration is completed on May 17, 2023.
The harmonisation of shortcodes has several benefits for customers, including an enhanced customer experience, improved quality of service delivery, and increased efficiency and convenience. With the new initiative, customers can now perform transactions with ease, reducing the likelihood of errors and increasing transaction speed.
The implementation process involves standardising the codes used by customers across all networks, ensuring that customers can use a single code for multiple services. The timeline for migration to the new common codes provides ample time for customers to adjust and adapt to the changes.
The NCC’s initiative for regulatory modernisation aims to enhance the quality of service delivery to customers. This initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and it is expected to simplify the transaction process for customers and improve the overall customer experience.
In conclusion, the harmonisation of shortcodes is a significant development for the Nigerian telecoms and banking industries, aimed at simplifying the transaction process for customers. With the provision of adequate time for migration to the new common codes, customers can adapt to the changes with ease. This initiative is expected to enhance the customer experience, improve the quality of service delivery, and increase efficiency and convenience for customers.
