CA Changes How Safaricom, Airtel Short Codes and Numbers Will Be Allocated

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has changed how telecommunications short codes and numbering resources are allocated, introducing a new framework that shifts short code allocation from a telecommunications operator-specific system to a service-based approach.

Under the new framework, the CA will allocate telecommunications short codes based on the services they support rather than the telecommunications operator associated with them.

As a result, service providers will no longer depend on an operator-specific allocation model when seeking new short codes.

“Allocation of telecommunications short codes will be services-based as opposed to the previous framework in which they were telecommunication operator specific,” CA Director General and CEO David Mugonyi said.

At the same time, the CA clarified that the new framework applies to new assignments only. Therefore, numbering resources allocated under the previous framework will continue to operate until they reach their logical and contractual end.

New Rules for Short Code Allocation

Beyond changing the allocation model, the Authority has also opened direct access to short codes for telecommunications content service providers.

Under the revised framework, telecommunications content service providers (CSP) can obtain short codes directly from the CA in bulk and subsequently assign them to end users.

“Telecommunications content service providers (CSP) are now eligible for direct short code allocation from the Authority in bulk for subsequent assignment to end users,” the Authority stated.

Consequently, eligible content service providers can now engage the regulator directly when seeking bulk short code allocations instead of relying on the previous operator-specific system.

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Existing Numbering Resources to Continue

Despite the changes, the authority will not withdraw numbering resources that it allocated under the previous framework.

Instead, the regulator will allow those resources to remain in use until they reach their logical and contractual end.

“The new framework will be applicable for new assignments henceforth and will not affect numbering resources assigned under the previous framework which will continue to be in use until their logical and contractual end,” the Authority stated.

CA Issues Compliance Directive

Meanwhile, the authority has urged all ICT service providers to manage and use their assigned numbering resources in line with the new framework.

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The enhanced framework covers the administration and management of telecommunications numbering, naming, addressing and identification resources.

The public and ICT service providers can access the framework through the CA’s website under its sector guidelines.

CA said the changes form part of an enhanced framework for administering and managing telecommunications numbering, naming, addressing and identification (NNAI) resources in Kenya.

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Photo of Communications Authority (CA) office headquarters in Nairobi PHOTO/CA