NCA directs mobile value added service providers to deactivate all sub-allocated shortcodes
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has ordered all mobile value-added service (VAS) providers in the country to deactivate all sub-allocated shortcodes in the next 30 days or face sanctions from the regulator.
Director-General of the NCA, Joe Anokye, in a letter dated October 22, 2021, said it has observed that special numbering resources (SNRs) or shortcodes authorized for particular service providers for specific services, have been sub-allocated to other players with extensions to offer additional services without the NCA’s authorization.
The letter, for instance, explained that for a shortcode 311, authorized to a particular VAS player for a specific service, that VAS player has created extensions such as *311*1# or *311*2# and so on and sub-allocated the extensions to third parties for unauthorized services, instead of directing those players to NCA for authorization.
Also: MTN Uganda hits road to promote IPO in Kenya
“The NCA would like to bring your attention to the fact that the sub-allocation of shortcodes to third parties by VASPs is illegal and not allowed under the conditions of the Certificate of Authority issued to certificate holders,” parts of the letter read.
According to the NCA, Condition 5 of the Certificate of Authority, as printed at the back of the certificate issued to VASPs states that, “It is an offence to sub-allocate the assigned SNR (shortcode) to any other entity for the purpose of sharing for different applications.”
The NCA has therefore issued a 30-day ultimatum to all VASPs in the practice to deactivate the sub-allocated numbers or have their authorization terminated and other sanctions issued on them.
Find below details of the NCA’s letter to mobile value-added service (VAS) providers
