31.12.2016
The 4-digit code application from BTK has started for gambling and SMSs with titles directing to illegal activities, which have been causing intense complaints from citizens.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESS RELEASE ON ADDING THE 4-DIGIT OPERATOR CODE TO ALPHANUMERIC TITLED SMSs.
The period has started for SMSs with titles directing to gambling and illegal activities, which have been causing intense complaints from citizens. The adaptation period for GSM operators to align their systems has begun, as designated by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) to identify the person or business sending the SMS.
In SMSs sent to subscribers by operators, the sender person or organization can send the message by adding alphanumeric characters at the beginning of the message without using any number as the sender information. These messages can lead to consumers being deceived and citizens being victimized, primarily through fraudulent activities by malicious individuals.
CODE APPLICATION WILL END ILLEGAL SMSs
With the regulation made by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) on April 12, 2016, for operators initiating SMSs with alphanumeric CLI (Calling Line Identification), it has become mandatory to append the Number Portability Routing Code (Bxxx format code starting with B) assigned to them by BTK at the end of the SMS text, in compliance with legislation regarding the privacy of communications. Thus, it will be possible to identify through which operator the SMS was sent and consequently by which subscriber it was sent.
With the regulation made, the 6-month period granted to operators for necessary preparations ended on December 11, 2016, and the 4-digit code at the end of alphanumeric titled SMSs identifies the relevant operator. Complaints regarding unwanted content can be made to the Ministry of Customs and Trade along with the B Code, number, and SMS time in the SMS.
CODES ASSIGNED TO INSTITUTIONS
The 4-digit routing codes assigned by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority to operators, which must be added at the end of SMSs, can be accessed via the link https://www.btk.gov.tr/numara-tasinabilirligi-yonlendirme-kodlari.
As of the Third Quarter Period of 2016, the routing codes for the top 10 operators with the most subscribers are listed in the table below.