Mobile Networks Simplify Customer Engagement With New Short Codes

The mobile network operators that service South Africa’s over 35 million cellular users have introduced a new set of numerically-consecutive customer care short codes to ensure compliance with updated ICASA regulations on standardisation.

“The new network short codes relating to airtime balances, voicemail retrieval, and the primary network customer care contact centres, for example, are now much easier to remember.

“WASPA supports any initiative aimed at ensuring a more seamless mobile experience for consumers. This latest development will go a long way towards ensuring customer care effectiveness in the local mobile sector,” says Ilonka Badenhorst, General Manager of SA’s Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA).

The networks have stated that the old and new codes will run concurrently for some time until they are satisfied that customers are comfortable with the new numbering system. 

Find the new network short codes at the following links or call the relevant network’s customer care centre:

• Vodacom: http://www.vodacom.co.za/vodacom/services/new-short-codes

• MTN: https://www.mtn.co.za/Pages/Shortcodes.aspx

• Cell C: https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/ContactUS

• Telkom: https://secure.telkom.co.za/today/help/personal/faq/what-ussd/

WASPA is the self-regulating body for the local mobile content and applications industry and has been on the consumer protection beat since its inception in 2004 with the full support of the mobile network operators.

Although primarily a lobbying body for the over 400 firms who make mobile content and applications available to South Africa’s 35 million cellular users, WASPA is today also a trusted consumer champion, primarily through its world-leading Code of Conduct and well-established formal complaints process.

“After the mobile network operators, WASPA is today the most trusted port of call when it comes to helping consumers manage their mobile content intake and subscriptions,” concludes Ms Badenhorst.

More information is available at www.waspa.org.za