NCC begins checks to dam faux telephones, modems and PoS terminals from accessing networks

The Nigerian Communications Commission has begun electronically verifying the approval standing of SIM-enabled units to establish and forestall faux, cloned and non-compliant gear from connecting to telecommunications networks. Edoyemi Ogoh, the fee’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, disclosed this on Tuesday at a information convention in Abuja.

He stated the improved compliance framework would strengthen oversight of units imported, offered and utilized in Nigeria, enhance community efficiency and shield shoppers. Type approval is the method by way of which the NCC certifies that telecommunications gear meets prescribed technical necessities earlier than being offered or used within the nation.

“We have also ensured that devices currently in stock are appropriately onboarded and that devices imported into Nigeria going forward are properly verified and authenticated,” Ogoh stated. “This will provide a more effective mechanism for identifying non-compliant, cloned, or fake devices and prevent them from connecting to our networks.”

He stated the initiative adopted the issuance of the fee’s kind approval enterprise guidelines in August 2024 and consultations with producers, importers, sellers, telecommunications operators, authorities companies and trade associations. The NCC additionally labored with the Nigeria Customs Service and different stakeholders throughout the machine provide chain to help implementation.

According to Ogoh, Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 requires communications gear supposed on the market or use in Nigeria to acquire the fee’s approval. He stated the framework would strengthen compliance and assist be sure that units connecting to Nigerian networks had been suitable with current infrastructure.

Ogoh urged shoppers to substantiate approval standing earlier than buying telephones, tablets, modems, point-of-sale terminals and different SIM-enabled gear. He suggested patrons to ask sellers whether or not their units had obtained NCC kind approval, warning that non-compliant gear may have an effect on community efficiency and repair reliability.

Addressing privateness issues, Ogoh stated the system was restricted to machine identification and approval verification. It maintains data resembling International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers for regulatory functions, he defined. “The objective of the initiative is regulatory compliance relating to communications devices. It is not a surveillance tool and does not provide access to personal information stored on devices,” he stated.

He added that the framework wouldn’t enable entry to customers’ images, messages, contacts, monetary data or communications content material. The fee would proceed public consciousness campaigns and stakeholder engagement to clarify the initiative and the tasks of shoppers and companies, Ogoh stated.

He famous that efficient implementation would require cooperation amongst authorities companies, community operators, producers, sellers, shopper teams and the media. Ogoh reaffirmed the NCC’s dedication to strengthening technical requirements and defending shoppers as Nigeria’s telecommunications sector expands.