Chibuike Nwabuko, Abuja
The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has declared that it is determined to protect mobile network subscribers from continuously being ripped off by network operators through unsolicited text messages by invoking the provision of the fine of N5 million to the Mobile Network Operators to ensure their total compliance.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting the Commission held with the Academia on International Telecommunications Union (ITU) study Group participation in Abuja, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Umar Garba Danbatta, however, regretted that only 1.8 million Nigerians are aware of it’s “Do Not Disturb Code” of rejecting unsolicited text messages in the country.
Danbatta said that this is worrisome, considering NCC’s efforts to ensure that consumers become aware of the need to protect their rights from mobile network operators.
“We introduced, the ‘Do Not Disturb’ code since last year,which compels mobile network operators not to send unsolicited test messages to subscribers-the consumers.
“Incidentally, the level of awareness is abysmally low from the consumers. Out of the population of 180 million people,we make bold to say that it is only 1.8 million Nigerians that are aware of this, which is highly regrettable.
“We are at the stage of enforcing this direction,meaning if the consumer lodges the complaints to NCC, and Mobile network providers send an unsolicited text messages to him or her,there would be outright sanctions meted out to the mobile telecoms operators.
“We would ensure that the credit deducted from the consumer from this unsolicited services are refunded, while also ensuring that the credit is returned to the consumer, and we would also invoke the provision of the fine of N5 million to the Mobile Network Operators to ensure total compliance.
“We have given the mobile operators time to ensure total compliance and not selective compliance. We are now at the stage of enforcing this direction,and we are busy enforcing it,as am talking to you.
“Now, the ‘Do Not Disturb’ (has) options that enable the consumer to opt out of the process of receiving unsolicited text messages. It empowers the consumer to say ‘no’, and say, ‘stop sending me this message’,in a way to take that decision of not allowing unsolicited messages.
“The consumer is at the receiving end in all of these, and we want to make sure that the consumers become aware of their rights and this year 2017.
“We have also declared, as a consumer right year, up to the time we finish our awareness on the do not disturb, we should be able to reach a target of 50 percent of Nigerians,” Danbatta hinted.
Danbatta, who also spoke on NCC’s collaboration with the Academia, said Nigeria’s position in the ITU is strategic because of the quality of contributions it offers to the body.
He said the need for continuous research and innovative contribution to the ITU has necessitated the need to continually seek the collaboration of the global telecommunications body.
In her remarks, Elizabeth Onwuka, a professor of Telecommunications Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Minna, said that there is constant need for the Academia to constantly make contributions in an ever dynamic and challenging global business environment through researches and innovation.
“When the industry works with the Academia, it is symbiotic,because the Academia trains the man-power, and also with research and innovations, adjust to the need of the industry,” she added.
