The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that it has registered roughly 231 million telecommunications devices throughout Nigeria because it begins implementing a brand new verification system to stop counterfeit, cloned and unapproved telephones from accessing cell networks.
NCC mentioned the initiative would strengthen client safety, enhance community high quality and allow regulators to trace devices imported and offered within the nation.
The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity on the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed this throughout a media briefing on the implementation of the Device Checker and Type Approval Compliance framework in Abuja on Tuesday.
“We had already registered about 231 million devices across the country. And those devices, basically, you don’t have to do anything. The subscriber does not have to do anything,” Ogoh mentioned.
He defined that the fee had mechanically captured devices already working on Nigerian networks earlier than the verification system turned absolutely operational, eradicating the necessity for present subscribers to undertake further registration.
However, newly launched devices should meet the fee’s verification necessities earlier than accessing telecommunications networks.
Ogoh clarified that beforehand linked devices, together with people who won’t meet present approval requirements, wouldn’t be disconnected retrospectively.
“We are not blacklisting those that have come up before this,” he mentioned, explaining that the choice was supposed to guard shoppers who bought devices with out getting access to verification instruments.
He added that the brand new framework would forestall further non-compliant devices from coming into the telecommunications ecosystem.
According to him, the fee is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, producers, importers and sellers to make sure that imported devices are authenticated earlier than coming into the market.
The framework additionally permits regulators to determine the importer, date of importation and amount of particular person devices, strengthening enforcement in opposition to suppliers of counterfeit merchandise.
Ogoh mentioned the initiative adopted the introduction of Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 and in depth consultations with trade stakeholders.
Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, telecommunications tools should acquire regulatory approval earlier than being offered or utilized in Nigeria.
The director defined that counterfeit devices may contribute to poor community high quality as a result of defective tools typically interferes with telecommunications infrastructure, affecting different subscribers utilizing the identical cell web site.
He mentioned the fee’s assessments recognized device-related issues alongside infrastructure challenges, insecurity, flooding and different components affecting community efficiency.
On client verification, Ogoh suggested Nigerians to dial *315# or go to the NCC’s Device Checker portal to substantiate whether or not telephones, tablets, modems and different SIM-enabled devices had been permitted.
He mentioned subscribers who bought unverified devices ought to contact their sellers for replacements, whereas unresolved complaints may very well be reported by the fee’s toll-free 315 helpline.
Addressing issues about doable surveillance, Ogoh insisted that the verification system wouldn’t give the regulator entry to subscribers’ private data.
“It is not a surveillance tool and does not provide access to personal information stored on devices,” he mentioned.
He defined that the system relied on gadget identification data quite than messages, pictures, contacts or monetary information.
Earlier, the Head of Public Affairs on the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, described the initiative as a part of efforts to enhance telecommunications security, community high quality and client safety.
She urged journalists to teach Nigerians in regards to the regulatory modifications, noting that public understanding was important to their profitable implementation.
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