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Tag: NCC

  • Unsolicited SMS: Telcos risk NCC sanctions

    Unsolicited SMS: Telcos risk NCC sanctions

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday warned that MTN, Airtel, Glo, Etislat and nine other telcos risk sanctions over unsolicited text messages and telemarketing.

    The regulator, in a statement endorsed by its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, warned that the operators risked for failing to comply with its directive on the Do Not Disturb (DND) issued on April 20 this year.

    According to Ojobo, 13 network operators have been given another one-week ultimatum begining from November 14 to remedy the situation or face the full wrath of the law as enshrined in the directive.

    “Worried by the non-compliance by the operators occasioned by deluge of complaints by subscribers across Nigeria, the NCC inaugurated an eight – member committee to look into the matter,” he said, adding that after several meetings, including those it held with the network   providers, it became necessary to issue the latest ultimatum to stop  incessant unsolicited text messages and phone calls for telemarketing via the various networks.

    He said: “The network operators, include Airtel Network Limited, MTN Nigeria, Globacom Nigeria, Smile Communication, Visafone Communications, Ntel, Etisalat, Multi links, Starcomms,   Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel Limited and Gicell wireless.

    “The NCC has written to all 13 network providers on whose networks it has received a series of complaints from subscribers regarding the efficacy of the DND service.

    “The Commission had engaged mobile network operators on this subject and further directs that: the phrase ‘MTN generated SMS’ referred to part (d) of the duration issued on April 20, 2016  to MTN and other network providers shall be taken to mean:  messages and calls with respect to only: information on   emergencies for example, national security, fire; notifications on network maintenance programmes down times; and  notification regarding subscribers bundle usage and service renewals.

    “Other text messages and voice calls informing subscribers of new products and service offerings are not regarded as network generated and therefore regarded as unsolicited marketing messages.”

    He said the NCC has  asked the network providers to ensure that   information on the DND service is disseminated after every revenue generating activity via the End of Call Notification (EOCN) for the period not less than 45 days within the hours of 8am to 8 pm daily from the receipt of the latest letter on  the subject.

    The tecos were also directed to pass the information through  all their channels of communications, including websites, social media platforms, bill boards, flash messages, text messages, Interactive Voice Response platform, radio jingles, newspaper and television advertisements.

    It warned that the notice serves as a pre-enforcement   notice. “Failure to comply with the directives, in furtherance of   the Direction of April 20, 2016, within seven days from November 14, 2016 shall result in the imposition of appropriate sanctions,” NCC said.

  • NCC warns against use of pre-registered SIM cards

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned subscribers against patronising sellers of pre-registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. It warned that fines and jail terms awaited people caught using such SIM cards as it is criminal to do  so.

    Its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Garba Dambatta, said rather than patronise the criminals, members of the public should report them to law enforcement agencies as part of their responsibility, not only as subscribers but also as good citizens.

    Represented at this year’s NCC Day at the Lagos International Trade Fair in Lagos by an assistant director and Head, Media, Reuben Muoka, Dambatta also warned subscribers to be wary of substandard and used mobile phones shipped into the country that did not get the type-approval of the NCC. He said such were capable of compromising the integrity of services received by end users.

    The fair was organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

    He said: “When we talk about consumer interest, we also speak about consumer responsibilities.

    “We expect the consumers and members of the public to also embrace our disposition by assisting the Commission to eradicate some fraudulent activities that exist in the industry, especially those ones that are within their purview of support.

    “We are saying this today with regard to instances of use of pre-registered SIM cards in the country. By our regulation, any new number acquired by the subscriber would be unable to originate calls until such a number is registered before it is activated in the network. It also means that any number that is not registered or activated by the service provider would remain inactive in the network.

    “However we have a situation where some unscrupulous individuals engage in registering and activating huge number of lines with fraudulent identities with a view to selling them to unwary subscribers who are too busy or too ignorant to understand that they need to have their identities behind their numbers. In some cases, those who engage in these activities are trying to hide their real identities for the purpose of using such lines to perpetrate criminal activities in the society.

    “We are using this opportunity to inform consumers and members of the public to alert security agencies where they find anybody engaging in the sale or use of preregistered SIM cards as they pose a serious danger to our individual and collective safety.  Those found culpable also risk severe penalties of fine an imprisonment. We have also sent serious warnings to the service providers to ensure that their dealers and sub-dealers who have a role to play in the sale of and activation of services, are not culpable in the perpetration of this crime.”

    He also said as the country passes through advance in technologies and as more devices are being introduced into the market, some of these devices have been used and dropped in other parts of the world and some may not even meet with international benchmarks for safety. He advised subscribers to visit the website of the Commission to check for the list of type-approved phones so that they would not be defrauded.

    “Substandard devices are capable of degrading the quality of services available in the networks and also pose serious safety issues to users,” Prof Dambatta said.

    He advised subscribers to take advantage of the Do Not Disturb (DND) 2442 code to stay free from unsolicited text messages and also use the toll free number, 622, should their complaints to their service providers fail to be addressed in record time.

  • NCC mulls cyber security response team

    NCC mulls cyber security response team

    The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Dambatta yesterday, said the regulator has concluded plans to establish a Cyber Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) exclusively for the telecoms sector.

    Represented by the Director, Public Affairs at the NCC, Tony Ojobo, during the National Cyber Security Awareness Month organised  by the American Embassy in Lagos, he said the establishment of the response platform was necessitated by the reality that all the communications infrastructure in the country are in the hands of the private sector.

    He said when the CSIRT is established, it will facilitate intervention, swift identification of threats/vulnerabilities and sharing of valuable information and resources to assist in fortifying the resilience of the national cybersecurity infrastructure.

  • NCC arrests six for selling pre-registered Sim cards

    NCC arrests six for selling pre-registered Sim cards

    The Nigeria Communications Commission, (NCC), yesterday arrested six men in Kano for being in possession and sale of hundreds of pre-registered SIM cards.

    The suspects were arrested in two separate raids by the NCC operation unit backed by security operatives in the GSM village located at the farm centre and the Yankura market in the metropolis.

    The Head of the NCC operation unit, Mallam Salisu Abdul said the operation became imperative following the rampant sales of pre-registered SIM cards in Kano by unregistered individuals.

    According to him, the sales of pre-registered Sim cards id a criminal offence and the commission will continue to raid markets across the country until we are able to stop such nefarious activities.

  • Drama as nominee for NCC board seeks scrap of Senate

    Drama as nominee for NCC board seeks scrap of Senate

    …Insists “Senate must go”

    The campaign for the scrapping of the senate received a boost in a dramatic manner Wednesday at the national assembly just there was a call for collaboration towards repackaging the senate.

    Drama unfolding in the Senate Wednesday as the North-East nominee for appointment to the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aliyu Saidu Abubakar, called for the immediate scrapping of the upper chamber

    Abubakar made the call during the screening of the presidential nominees for the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications NCC, by the Senator Gilbert Nnaji-led committee on Communications.

    A member of the committee had confronted the nominee asking why he once led a protest for the scrapping of the Senate.

    The member told the nominee that he was appearing before the same Senate he wanted scrapped.

    Abubakar in his response insisted that the cost of running the senate was high and therefore should be scrapped.

    The nominee noted that a situation where the senators had been receiving huge transport, ward robe and dressing allowances and others was a clear economic loss to the country.

    He also listed the purchase expensive vehicles for Senators as another reason why the upper chamber should done away with.

    The committee presented several photographs of the nominee leading organised protests against the Senate particularly at the gate of the National Assembly recently.

    The apparent unrepentant Abubakar told the committee that he has no regret for his actions.

    He insisted that he was still convinced that “the Senate is an avenue for wastage of scarce economic resources of the country.”

    The Senate, he said, “must go”

    Speaking after the session, Abubakar, told reporters that the Senate should be scrapped.

    The Bauchi State nominee however denied telling the committee that the Senate must be scrapped.

    He said, “It is not true that I told members of the committee that the Senate should be scrapped. They asked me whether I was part of the group that agitated for the scrapping of the Senate and I said yes because of so many things involved in the Senate and their budget.

    “They asked me to state the reasons why we were agitating for the scrapping of the Senate, I said it is because of their huge budget; they (Senators) consume a lot of resources from the government; they put it in their own budget.

    “Also, they have transport allowance and, yet, they budget a lot of money to acquire vehicles.”

    He said that the committee confronted him with several photographs of him during the ‘Occupy National Assembly’ protests, including the ones held at the National Assembly and in Bauchi State which he did not deny.

    Asked if he still stood by his words that it was a waste to keep the Senate and that it should be scrapped, Abubakar replied, “The Senate must go because something has to be done to cut down the expenses on the Senate. I still maintain that.”

    The committee had earlier listed what it described as “grave irregularities” in the personal records of the nominee.

    The committee noted that it was curious that apart from birth certificate, there were only copies of court affidavit and police extract dated the same day, claiming loss of his credentials.

    The committee noted that it appears the court affidavit and police extract were procured after Abubakar had been nominated to serve in the board.

    The committee also said that it was interesting that the highest academic qualification of the nominee was a one-year “Diploma in Computer” from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

    It said that the attached statement of result was dated 23rd September 2016, also obtained after he had been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Requested to show reason why he chose to present documents that were procured shortly after his nomination and also why he believed that he was qualified to function as a National Commissioner in such a critical agency like NCC given the rigours, challenges and required expertise for efficiency of the commission, Abubakar said that he “did not bother to go for the credentials.”

    He explained further that he “only went to school merely for knowledge having been self-employed prior to the nomination.”

    The NCC chairman-designate, Senator Bisi Durojaiye expressed concern over the public perception of the Senate.

    Durojaiye noted that as former Senator who also headed the Committee on Communications he was committed and passionate for a very strong Senate that grows in leaps and bound.

    He said, “Please permit me to convey a message from the oldest living former Senator Chief Reuben Farosanti who just clocked 91. Although I have presented it to the Senate President, Senator Farosanti had requested for a closed door session between the current Senate and the old generation to discuss. Considering the heat from the other side this has become imperative….”

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, urged the nominees to seek to add value to the regulatory agency and ensure that Nigerian masses truly got the greatest benefits of their appointment if they scale through.

    Nnaji said that the committee would make its report to the plenary for approval and confirmation.

  • ‘Inactive telephone lines dip to 73.8m’

    ‘Inactive telephone lines dip to 73.8m’

    Inactive telephone lines in Nigeria  have reduced from 76,164,149 in July to 73,885,542 in August, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

    Its monthly subscriber data released yesterday on its website, indicated there was a reduction of 2,278,607 inactive numbers within the period.

    The data showed that of the 226,686,390 connected telephone numbers, only 152,800,848 lines were being put to use.

    It stated that of the 73,885,542 inactive numbers, the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) networks had a share of 70,410,670 while the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA mobile) operators had a share of 3,279,179 and the Fixed Wired/Wireless networks had a total of 187,443 unused lines.

    The data also showed that Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network had 8,232 inactive numbers.

    According to the data,  of the 152,800,848 active lines, the GSM networks had 152,285,320, adding a total of 2,577,243 lines compared to the July figure of 149,708,077 active lines.

    The CDMA operators had 329,093 active lines, as their active numbers reduced by 42,520 lines, from the July figure of 371,613 active lines.

    The Fixed/Wireless networks had 161,742 active lines, reducing the July figure of 164,114 by 2,372 lines in August.

  • NCC hikes international termination rate by 525%

    THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has increased International Termination Rate (ITR) from N3.90 per minute to N24.40 per minute, a 525 per cent increase.

    ITR is an interconnection charge set by mobile traffic carriers on calls originating from other networks. Though the regulator did not give reasons for the hike, the notice it issued, dated  October 5, reads: “The Nigerian Communications Commission, on September 16, 2016 reviewed the termination rate for international inbound traffic from N3.90/min (about $0.013 today) to N24.40/min. The interim rate will subsist pending the conclusion of the study of the Determination of Cost Based Pricing for Mobile Voice Termination Rates.”

    The over 525 per cent increase in the ITR could be traced to a recommendation in an analysis prepared by its Policy, Competition & Economic Analysis Department last year.

    In an assessment of international voice traffic termination rates, NCC noted that while regulatory authorities tend to protect service providers and consumers, telcos and the government would prefer higher rates that bring in hard currency and can fund investment, expand domestic network, fund innovation and improve quality of service (QoS).

    It also notes that revenues from international calls are seen as means of cross-subsidising domestic calls. This is tagged to a symmetrical system that shows money flows from developed to developing countries as most traffic originates from rich countries and high settlement rates favour the recipient countries.

    Based on the assessment, NCC stated: “In comparison with other African countries ITR, Nigeria termination rate at $0.03 relatively too low and this will likely impact negatively on the inflow of revenue to the Nigerian economy.

    “Consistent with the above, we recommend that upward reviews of international termination rate should be settled through negotiation and commercial agreement between the domestic service providers and international traffic carriers provided that the rate would not lead to decrease in inbound traffic to the country.”

    Citing the case of Ghana’s termination rate increase in 2009 from $0.10 to $0.19/min which it says was problematic and Uganda’s enactment of a legislation in 2013 imposing a tax of $0.09 on inbound international calls that substantially increases ITR, NCC compares outcomes of termination rates with other 53 African countries to indicate that only South Africa shares the same ITR with Nigeria. Others range from $0.09 (Egypt) to as high as $0.70 (Gambia).

    The reviewed ITR increase could seem to be NCC’s response to the telecom industry which has been feeling the pinch of its current economic woes of late, according to ITWeb Africa.

    After industry experts decried harsh operating environment which has cost telecom companies about N660 billion this year, NCC says it will work on strategies including revised/updated Nigerian Telecom Policy, spectrum availability and other national resources, to yield gross domestic product (GDP) growth and create business/investment opportunities in the country.

  • NCC: Visafone applied for shares transfer, not licence

    NCC: Visafone applied for shares transfer, not licence

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said it only granted  approval to Visafone’s application to transfer its shares to MTN and not its spectrum licence.

    It said what has been approved in the transaction is the 100 per cent shareholding while it is yet to meet and decide on the fate of the spectrum of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) opeartor.

    A statement endorsed by its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, expalined that the final approval to the changes in shareholding of Visafone Communications was taken on the strenght of Section 38 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

    Section 38 of the Act states that “the grant of a licence shall be personal to the licencee and the licence shall not be operated by, assigned, sub-licenced or transferred to any other party unless the prior written approval of the Commission has been granted.”

    He said this is contrary to the speculation in a section of the media that the NCC had foreclosed the release of the spectrum held by Visafone to MTN.

    According to the regulator, this clarification has become necessary in order to allay the fears in some quarters that the frequency had been withheld by the Commission.

    Ojobo said:  “The Commission is yet to meet to take a decision on the application by Visafone to transfer its licence to MTN.  The NCC has only approved the shareholding structure by 100 per cent and not transfer of licence.

    “Specifically, Visafone Communications Limited with a Universal Access Service Licence (UASL) – deploying CDMA technology applied to the NCC for an approval to effect a change in its shareholding structure by transferring 100 per cent of its shares to MTN Nigeria.

    “Having met all the preliminary requirements for grant of approval for change in shareholding structure, the NCC in line with its established procedure granted an Approval-In-Principle to Visafone Communications Limited, subject to fulfilment of conditions to transfer 100 per cent of its shares to MTN Nigeria.

    “Having fulfilled the conditions stipulated in the “Approval-In-Principle”, the NCC, in line with its procedure granted a “Final-Approval” to Visafone for the change in its shareholding structure.

    “Thereafter, Visafone applied for approval to transfer its licence to MTN.  The NCC has written to Visafone, clearly stating that a decision was yet to be taken on the transfer of Visafone licence to MTN.”

  • Mobile phone subscribers hit 152 million — NCC

    Mobile phone subscribers hit 152 million — NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC said yesterday that the number of active mobile network subscribers in the country has hit 152 million as at August 2016.

    Its Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, also said Teledensity, which is measured as one Telephone to 100 of population, is above 107 percent while internet penetration has continued to rise with more than 97 million.

    Professor Danbatta, who made the remarks while delivering a keynote address on the NCC Day at the on-going Abuja International Trade Fair, said the development was a major leap for the NCC and the nation’s economy.

    He said that the eight-point agenda unfolded by the current leadership at the NCC was aimed at providing enhanced quality services, deepen broadband penetration and address issues of infrastructure development and deployment in the industry.

    Professor Danbatta who was represented by the Head of Public Relations, Mr Reuben Mouka, said: “We presented a performance account of eight-point agenda of the EVC and one of the major highlights is that Nigeria has achieved more than 20 percent penetration as reported by the International Telecommunications Union.

    “This is very good news because it shows we are nearer to the 2018 target of 30 percent broadband penetration as proposed by the National Broadband Strategic Report.”

    Professor Danbatta, however, expressed concern on the increasing menace of pre-registered SIM card across the country, saying the commission had taken steps alongside security agencies to arrest the situation.

    He said the activities of agents of telecom companies indulged in pre-registered SIM was not only fraudulent, but pose serious threat to the security of the country. “The attention of the commission has been drawn to this menace and the commission is leaving no stone unturned to arrest the situation. We have sent directives to the service providers to ensure that their agents are not used to perpetrate this fraud.

    “But we urge the consumers to be wary of this fraud to avoid being victims of the circumstances. Members of the public are advised to desist from buying or using pre-registered SIM cards and to report anybody selling or buying pre-registered SIM cards,” Professor Danbatta said.

    He urged telecom consumers to take advantage of the Do Not Disturb Code 2442 launched by the commission to get rid of unsolicited messages, adding that service providers have been mandated to ensure that they not only provide the solution to consumers but also create awareness about it.

     

  • ATCON to NCC: Nigeria is haven for counterfeit phones

    Nigeria has become a dumping ground for counterfeit phones from across the world, the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) at the weekend, told the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    Its President, Olushola Teniola who spoke during a special reception organised by the group for the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Prof Umar Dambatta, lamented that the rather uncontrolled influx of fake/counterfeited mobile phones into the country has added to the pains subscribers go through with end user poor quality of service (QoS).

    He lamented that unregistered/unapproved mobile phone brands currently have over 150 models circulating in the country.

    The NCC limits itself to type-approving mobile phones, while the role of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) remains unclear on the issue. The two agencies are quick to blame the menace on the number on people who import mobile phones in negligible quantities in their briefcases each time they are coming into the country.

    He said: “ATCON is interested in the continuous development of the telecoms sector but there are some issues that have constituted a threat to investment, friendly and enabling environment for our members and if these threats are not put under control, our industry might suffer decrease in investment. These monsters are dumping of counterfeit phones; implementation of National Broadband Plan; approval of draft National ICT Policy; foreign exchange squeeze viz-a-viz network roll-out; proposed nine per cent Communication Service Tax bill; and local content within ICT sector.”

    Teniola advised the NCC to step up actions to protect subscribers, protect indigenous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and guarantee a high level of QoS.

    He said: “Government should put anti-counterfeiting measures such as the facilitation of integrated web portal-based international Mobile Equipment Identity (IME) and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) collection to stem the menace of sub-standard or unrecognised mobile phones circulating in Nigeria with the obvious consequences of poor QoS, loss of revenue to the government, loss of business by OEMs and loss of jobs as well in Nigeria mobile market. For instance we have more than 20 mobile phone brands that do not have NCC type approval certificate to operate in Nigeria. In addition, we have our 10 per cent of fake mobile phones products of some of the popular mobile phone brands in Nigeria.

    “ATCON is aware that your appointment is based on your pedigree as a thorough bred professional with sterling leadership quality, we are confident that you are equal to the task ahead. Therefore, we would like the EVC to tell us what the Commission is doing to either ameliorate or eliminate all these anti-development agents in our sector.”

    Responding, the NCC chief said the issue of QoS remained a major concern to the Commission. Dambatta said worried by the barrage of complaints that daily inundated the Commission, one of the first things he did on assumption of duty a year ago was to inaugurate a committee on QoS. He said the committee has been working round the clock, adding that the Commission has also acquired the requisite tools to monitor QoS remotely from the Commission’s office.

    He lamented that while the technical side of the challenge could be addressed through the issuance of direction, the non-technical aspects such as delayed issuance of right of way (RoW), epileptic power supply, vandalism, unprovoked shutting down of base transmission stations (BTS) and others remain intractable.