By; Imrana Wbdullahi
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has ordered all telecommunication providers to block all subscribers who had not yet linked their Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards to their National Identification Number (NIN).
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC Dr Aminu Maida, gave the order to the communication companies last Thursday during its day at the ongoing 45 Kaduna International Trade Fair organized by the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture.
Dr Maida, who was represented by Mr Reuben Muoka, said that this year’s fair is of great significance as the theme ” Sustaining Economic Recovery Through Deepening Local Content Value Chain” is extremely important as it resonates deeply with the principles and objectives of the NCC, on the promotion of local content development in the telecoms industry.
He said that the NCC is an Independent National Regulatory Authority that oversees Telecommunication Services in Nigeria, whose vision is to create a dynamic regulatory environment that ensures universal access to affordable and equitable service and support to the nation’s economic growth.
“As a regulator of the telecommunications sector in the country, the Commission carries out its functions to ensure service availability, accessibabe affordability, and sustainability for all categories of consumers, who are leveraging on ICT/Telecoms to drive personal and business activities.”
He said that a Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries (TELCARE) Desk was set up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Intematonal Airport Abuja to provide addinonal platform to make enquires in cocxames issues, receive and facilitate the resolution of telecom consumer complaints.
Adding that TELCARE Desk serves as a tool for advocacy on any thematic telecom consumer issue of concerns and most importandy, an avenue for enhancing awareness of the Commission’s activities.
He said that as of 2023, the telecoms industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP stood at 13.5% (Source – Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report November 2023-A publication of the National Bureau of Statistics).
Adding that “as we promote economic growth through development of local content, we must also address the challenges faced by consumers and NCC is committed to protecting their rights while ensuring their satisfaction.”
He encouraged businesses and service providers to prioritize customer satisfaction and uphold the highest standards of service delivery With keen interest and commitment to consumer protection, as the NCC has implemented measures to safeguard the interest of consumers and businesses alike.
Mr Muoka said that the commission had established a robust regulatory framework that promotes transparency, quality of service, and fair competition. Additionally, we have set up channels for consumer redress, ensuring that consumers can resolve disputes in a timely and efficient manner.
“We have also established seamless programs that will Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE Mandate) telecom consumers through various consumer-centric initiatives such as: Consumer Education Outreach Programmes:
Stating that these programs include the Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP). Telecom Town Halls on Radio (ITR), Telecom Consumer Conservation (TCC), Professionals’ Dialogue, Market Square Conversation, Village Square Dialogue, Television (TV) Dialogue, and Trade Fairs such as this one today,” he said.
He said that the Commission had on May 17, 2023, directed all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNO to commence implementation of approved Harmonized Short Codes (HSC) for providing services to Nigerian telecom consumers in a bid for the Commission to improve the Quality of Experience (QoE) for consumers across all mobile networks.
He said the new initiative is enabling consumers using the over 224 million active mobile telephone lines in Nigeria to use the same codes to access services across all networks.
On the NIN-SIM linkage, Mr Muoka said that subscribers who do not have the National Idennfication Number (NIN), can obtain theirs from National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) Enrolment Centres all sunscribers need a valid ID Card and BVN for enrollment.
Development of the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 Short Code: this was established in 2016 for telecom consumers to stop unsolicited text messages and nuisance calls. To activate the FULL DND service to stop all unsolicited messages & calls, Text “STOP” to 2442 and for PARTIAL DND service, Text HELP to 2442 to select the type of messages you want to receive Development of Mobile Number Portability (MNP): ensures that telecom consumers can switch from one network to another without changing their original Phone Number.
The Commission partners with Law Enforcement agencies to protect Telecom Infrastructure: The Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with law enforcement agencies such as the Police and National Security and Civil Defence Corps to help protect telecom infrastructure from vandalization.
Campaign against Sales & Buying of Pre-registered SIM Cards: Telecom Consumers should be aware that buying pre registered SIM cards is a criminal offense in Nigeria.
Direction on Roll-Over of Data: Service Providers have been directed to Roll-Over unused data at the expiration of a data plan provided it is renewed within the stipulated time frame as approved below: 1. One (1) day data plan has one (1) day to renew 2 Above one (1) day but less than thirty (30) days has a grace period of three days to renew. Thurry (30) days has seven (7) days to renew my we are any meaths of manas and pun
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The TELCARE Desk is also for advocacy on any thematic telecom consumer issue of concerns and most importandy, an avenue for enhancing awareness of the Commission’s activities Harmonized Short Codes:
The Nigerian Communication Commission had on May 17, 2023, directed all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNO to commence implementation of approved Harmonized Short Codes (HSC) for providing services to Nigerian telecom consumers The measure initiated by the Commission is a bid to improve the Quality of Experience (QoE) of consumers across all mobile networks.
The new initiative is enabling consumers using the over 224 million active mobile telephone lines in Nigeria to use the same codes to access services across all networks. For instance, the same code *310# will be used for checking airtime balance across all the networks. Campaign on National Identification Number-Subscriber Identification Module (NIN-SIM) Linkage – NIN-SIM Linkage is a process of connecting your NIN to your phone number to authenticate and protect your identity.
To link your NIN to your SIM, a subscriber needs to submit his/her NIN to their respective Service Provider to complete the process of NIN-SIM linkage For subscribers who do not have the National Idennfication Number (NIN), they can obtain theirs from National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) Enrolment Centres of Your Service Providers Customer Care Centres, and you need a valid ID Card and BVN for enrollment
AS A MATTER OF CRITICAL NATIONAL SECURITY, Telecom Consumers must link their NIN to the SIM. To this end, the Commission has directed all telecommunication operators to bar phone lines of subscribers whose lines are not linked to their NINs on or before February 28, 2024.
He implore all participants to take full advantage of the opportunities presented at the fair to deepen their collective commitment to sustaining economic recovery through the promotion of local content in the telecommunications sector.
He finally said that ” I encourage you to take time to visit the NCC Pavilion at the exhibition ground to make inquires, know more about the activities of the Commission, and meet face-to-face with representatives of Service Providers, who are ready and willing to attend to your complaints or enquiries concerning their network.”
