The Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it has drawn a monitoring plan to check unsolicited messages and calls.
This information is contained in the second quarter report of the Compliance Monitoring Enforcement Department posted on NCC website. The report said the Department held series of engagement sessions with critical stakeholders to ensure hitch-free implementation and full compliance. It said the move followed complaints from telecom subscribers on the menace of unsolicited text messages and nuisance calls from mobile network operators in the industry.
“The Commission issued a direction to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on April 19, 2016 to dedicate short code 2442 on their networks for use by subscribers to opt-in to the ‘’Do Not Disturb’’ database to restrict unsolicited marketing messages (Voice and SMS) on their mobile lines.
All MNOs have been directed to ensure full compliance with the directive on July 1 or risk a fine of N5 million only.”
It would be recalled that NCC on Sept. 12 issued final warning to telecommunication operators who still send unsolicited text messages (SMS) to customers. The warning was contained in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, where he reiterated the Commission’s readiness to protect subscribers from unsolicited text messages and calls from MNOs. He stated that in spite of earlier warnings to telecommunication service providers to activate their Do-Not-Disturb facility, the Commission was still inundated with complaints by subscribers.
The various options under the facility are:
“SMS 1” for receiving SMS relating to banking, insurance/financial products to 2442;
“SMS 2” for receiving SMS relating to real estate to 2442;
“SMS 3” for receiving SMS relating to education to 2442;
“SMS 4” for receiving SMS relating to health to 2442;
“SMS 5” for receiving SMS relating to consumer goods and automobiles to 2442;
“SMS 6” for receiving SMS relating to communication/broadcasting entertainment/IT to 2442;
“SMS 7” for receiving SMS relating to tourism and leisure to 2442;
“SMS 8” for receiving SMS relating to sports to 2442;
“SMS 9” for receiving SMS relating to religion to 2442.”
He called on the service providers to immediately comply with the directive as further complaints from subscribers would be taken as serious infractions.
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