New Vodafone contract – removal of short code dialling
23 Jul 2021
The short code dialling function for University mobiles is being removed to make way for Wi-Fi calling.
The University has recently undertaken a collaborative procurement exercise for mobile phone provisioning and agreed a new contract with Vodafone, our current network provider. By negotiating together with other organisations we have been able to achieve financial savings on our previous contract.
One of the benefits of the new contract will be the introduction of Wi-Fi calling across our mobile estate. This means you’ll be able to make calls from your University mobile device over Wi-Fi – particularly useful when you have a poor network signal or no reception. Wi-Fi calling is not currently available but we know that many of you have enquired about it previously.
To enable Wi-fi calling we have to remove the short code dialling function that we currently use across our mobile phone estate. We plan to do this soon but need colleagues to be prepared.
What short codes are affected?
Short codes for University mobile phone numbers are 7 digits long and always start 77. These short codes are being removed on Wednesday 15 September 2021.
Short codes for University landline numbers (extension numbers) are 5 digits long and start with 5 or 6. These are unaffected when dialling from a University landline but will no longer work when dialling from a University mobile - you will instead have to dial the full (external) number.
What you need to do:
- Check the phone book on your University mobile and update any 77 short codes to the full mobile number and any 5 digit University extension numbers to the full landline number including area dialling code. There’s a Vodafone user guide on how to do this if you need help.
- Check and change your email signature if it references a 77 short code number.
- If you have any alarms or systems that may be connected to mobile phones via the short dial function you will need to update the number in the settings.
What IT Services will do:
- Automatically update the Online Directory and replace any references to 77 numbers with the full mobile number.
- Remotely re-programme all University desk phones that are using a 77 number as a speed dial or as part of call forwarding settings. This means that if you are currently forwarding a University desk phone to a mobile short code, then it will continue to forward after the re-programming.
- Send a text message to all University mobile numbers to advise of the change.
Help and support
If you have questions or need help and support please contact the IT Support Centre who will log a ticket with the appropriate team if required.
More information about the new contract
Further information about our new Vodafone contract - including tariffs - is available on the IT Services website: