The telecommunications department will stop USSD call forwarding from April 15.The reasons are as follows

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently took a step to tackle the surge in cyber fraud cases across the country. In response to multiple illegal call transfer fraud incidents, the National Development and Reform Commission requires telecom operators to stop USSD-based call transfer services nationwide from April 15, 2024.

“The competent authority has decided that with effect from April 15, 2024, all licensees shall cease existing USSD-based call forwarding services until further notice.” Notice from the Ministry of Transport.

What is USSD call forwarding?

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data) call forwarding is a feature on your phone that allows you to redirect incoming calls from one number to another. You can activate or deactivate it by dialing a specific code (*401#) on your phone instead of using settings. It comes in handy for functions like checking your balance, getting device information like IMEI, forwarding calls to another phone or sending them to voicemail.

Why is USSD call forwarding disabled?

The decision comes in response to growing concerns about fraudulent activity and abuse of call forwarding features, as well as an increase in online scams.

How does it affect users?

If you currently have call forwarding activated on your number, you will need to reactivate it after the service is suspended. DoT said users must use alternative methods to activate call forwarding, though these methods have not been specified yet. Telcos are now required to provide users with alternative ways to manage call forwarding.

Since the Department of Transportation is only asking for the service to be suspended, rather than permanently removed, there is speculation that the system may be reintroduced in a more secure form in the future, with better security measures in place to prevent abuse and fraud.