Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell have started using common short codes for mobile balance check, transfer, and recharge. The convenience of using the same USSD shortcodes will end the need to use different codes for various telecom services and also end the confusion.
Earlier, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) had brought directives requiring telcos to have common short codes for all mobile users for services such as balance check, recharge, and balance transfer. With the implementation of common shortcodes, mobile users won’t need to remember the shortcodes for different carriers. The same shortcodes will work on any mobile network for mobile checking balance, transferring your balance, and recharging. NTA has made such arrangements in telecommunication services by issuing shortcode and toll-free number management procedures 2077.
Till now, we’ve been dialing the codes issued by respective mobile service providers to check balance, recharge, and transfer balance. They are *400# for a balance check, *422# for a balance transfer, *412# for recharge for NTC SIM users. Find the important USSD shortcodes in Nepal Telecom.
Similarly, you use *123# to check the balance, *131# for a balance transfer, and *422# for recharge for Smart SIM users. And it’s *101# for a balance check, *17122# for a balance transfer, and *102# for recharge for Ncell SIM users.
Check out: Important shortcodes in Ncell.
Find new USSD short codes for balance recharge, transfer, and inquiry
Now, all mobile network operators (MNOs) have brought into use the same USSD codes for balance-related actions on mobile phones. That means mobile users do not have to use different number sequences anymore.
- For balance inquiry: With the new system, users of any mobile network be it Nepal Telecom or Ncell, can use *144# to check the balance on their SIM cards.
- For balance recharge: To recharge the mobile balance, users need to enter the recharge card’s number in the following format: *122*recharge pin#.
- Balance transfer: Similarly, to transfer balance, both Nepal Telecom and Ncell users need to use the same USSD code *133*. However, the process slightly differs. On Nepal Telecom, you need to enter *133* followed by the security code*, the destination number*, and the amount followed by a # at last. For clarity, the shortcode will look as this in a format: *133*xxxxxxxx*98xxxxxxxx*xx#. An Ntc number’s security code has 8 digits. If you don’t know your Ntc number’s security code, you can find it out by sending a message with the letters SCODE to 1415.
On Ncell, the shortcode *133* follows the destination mobile number*balance amount to transfer and # which looks as this: *133*98xxxxxxxx*xx#. It’s rather more straightforward than Ntc’s because it doesn’t require a security code for the process.
| SN | Mobile Service | Common Short Codes/USSDs |
| 1 | Balance Recharge | *122*recharge pin# |
| 2 | Balance Transfer | *133* |
| 3 | Balance Inquiry | *144# |
As is the case, the telcos can use the shortcodes to call or dial USSD (using * #) or SMS but shall include the same number.
Now they also have a regulation of the digits in the shortcode. They will provide the three-digit shortcodes to important emergency services like Police, Ambulance, and Fire bigrade while the four-digit shortcodes are for government agencies and constitutional bodies.
Similarly, the five-digit shortcodes are also provided to telcos for value-added services using SMS, USSD, and calls. As the telcos were using four-digit codes before, they need to change them to five-digit ones.
Do check out, NTA assigns shortcodes to Provinces.
Benefits of common shortcodes (same shortcode)
Depending on the service providers, the mobile user may have difficulty remembering the code. So, with the existence of a common shortcode, mobile users can get rid of having to remember several codes.
It reduces the need of remembering the distinct dialing codes of all the telecom operators have to check balance, recharge, and transfer balance. NTA has introduced such a provision for the convenience of mobile users.
The same shortcodes for mobile services are in use in several countries like India, Australia, the US, Brazil, and many more. Shortcodes are also widely in use for various purposes such as charity donations, subscribing to ringtones, and television program voting besides mobile services.
Customers these days prefer USSD codes for easy subscription and service requests as it is quite faster than others. Now that the common codes be implemented, it will be more beneficial to the customers.
Read: How to identify mobile numbers of all telecom operators of Nepal?
What is your opinion on the operators bringing common shortcodes for balance-related operations for their subscribers? Does it elevate your user experience? Share with us in the comments below and drop your query for more information. Keep visiting Nepalitelecom.com for all telecom news, current tech affairs, and gadget reviews.
