...Commission Introduces Electronic Verification to Block Non-Compliant Phones, Modems, PoS Terminals
…NCC Assures Nigerians of Privacy, Says Device Checks Will Not Expose Personal Data
Daud Olatunji
The Nigerian Communications Commission has commenced electronic verification of SIM-enabled devices to identify and block fake, cloned and non-compliant phones, tablets, modems and Point-of-Sale terminals from connecting to telecommunications networks across the country.
The commission said the initiative would strengthen device authentication, protect consumers from substandard telecommunications equipment and improve network reliability, while assuring Nigerians that the exercise would not expose their personal information to regulatory authorities.
The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed this on Tuesday during a news conference on the commission’s technical standards and network integrity initiatives in Abuja.
Ogoh explained that the electronic verification framework was designed to enable the commission to authenticate devices against its type approval requirements before they are permitted to operate on Nigerian telecommunications networks.
He said the initiative would provide a more effective mechanism for identifying counterfeit and cloned devices, as well as equipment that failed to meet the technical standards prescribed for telecommunications products in the country.
According to him, the commission has put measures in place to ensure that devices already in stock are properly registered under the framework, while newly imported equipment will undergo the required verification and authentication procedures.
“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 said.
He added, “This will provide a more effective mechanism for identifying non-compliant, cloned, or fake devices and prevent them from connecting to our networks.”
The development marks a fresh regulatory push by the NCC to tighten its control over telecommunications equipment sold and used in Nigeria, amid concerns about the circulation of substandard devices and their potential impact on network performance.
Type approval is the regulatory process through which the commission certifies that telecommunications equipment meets prescribed technical standards before it is sold or used in the country.
The initiative follows the issuance of the NCC’s Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024 and subsequent consultations with original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications operators, government agencies and industry associations.
Ogoh said the commission had also worked with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders across the device supply chain to facilitate the implementation of the framework.
He cited Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which requires communications equipment intended for sale or use in Nigeria to obtain type approval from the commission.
The director explained that enforcing the provision would help ensure that devices connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks complied with established technical standards and remained compatible with the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
He warned that non-compliant equipment could undermine network performance, complicate regulatory oversight and expose consumers to the risks associated with substandard products.
Ogoh, therefore, urged Nigerians to verify the approval status of electronic devices before purchasing them, advising consumers to ask sellers whether their phones, tablets, modems, PoS terminals and other SIM-enabled equipment had obtained the necessary NCC certification.
He said the verification framework was also intended to promote accountability among manufacturers, importers and dealers while building public confidence in electronic devices available in the Nigerian market.
NCC: Device Checks Not Surveillance
Amid concerns about possible privacy violations, the commission assured Nigerians that the electronic verification initiative was not designed to monitor users or grant regulators access to personal information stored on their devices.
Ogoh stressed that the exercise was strictly for device identification and regulatory compliance, insisting that it would not enable the NCC to access users’ photographs, text messages, contacts, financial information or private communications.
According to him, the framework retains device identification information, including the International Mobile Equipment Identity number, commonly known as the IMEI, for regulatory purposes.
“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 said.
The clarification is expected to address privacy concerns that could arise as the commission expands its electronic monitoring of telecommunications equipment operating on Nigerian networks.
Ogoh maintained that the primary objective was to establish a more effective system for distinguishing approved devices from fake, cloned and non-compliant equipment without intruding into users’ private information.
He added that the commission would sustain public awareness campaigns and consultations with industry stakeholders to educate consumers and businesses about the framework and their respective responsibilities.
The director said successful implementation would require cooperation among government agencies, telecommunications operators, manufacturers, importers, dealers, consumer groups and the media.
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to strengthening technical standards, protecting consumers and improving network integrity as Nigeria’s telecommunications industry continues to expand.
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