The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Thursday instructed all telecom operators and content providers to use five-digit short codes starting with the number five for offering SMS-based value-added services.

These short codes which have been a major revenue churner for mobile operators and content providers charged at Rs 6 per SMS were being used by some of the TV channels as well for voting and interactive services.

Now after the TRAI directive, they will have to change the short code on which they offer the service.

TRAI observed that some of these short codes were not in accordance with the national numbering plan-2003 and the DoT's earlier orders on this issue. TRAI has sought compliance of the DoT guidelines by May 31.