NCC Ends Unsolicited Calls, Messages

The Nigerian Communications Commission –NCC(www.ncc.gov.ng) has barred telecommunication companies from sending out unsolicited text messages to subscribers.

Network operators in the country have up till June 30, 2016 to stop sending unsolicited Short Message Service or calls to subscribers or face a N5 million fine if they failed to comply with the directive, according to the Legal and Regulatory Services Department of the commision.

A total of 13 MNOs were issued with the directive, which include MTN, Airtel, Smile, Etisalat, Globacom and Visafone. Others are Starcomms, Megatech Engineering Limited, Gicell Wireless Limited, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel, Multilinks and Natcom. They were asked to set up the shortcode of 2442 for subscribers to opt-in to the “Do Not Disturb” (DND) database restricting unsolicited marketing messages.

The regulatory body   said it is mandatory for these mobile operators to create sufficient awareness to its subscribers on the existence of the DND on their networks and also comply with the quarterly and reporting template prescribed by the NCC to ensure feedback and compliance.

NCC warned operators that generated SMS shall comply with the 8am to 8pm stipulation (12 hour period) for sending SMS to subscribers and that the opt-in process shall be free, adding that operated generated SMS is excluded from the DND list, in as much as such messages are in conformity with NCC’s directive on timing and regularity and do not constitute a nuisance to subscribers and the subscribers shall have right to partial or full DND implementation.

The ‘New Direction’ issued is pursuant to Section 53 of the Nigerian Communications Act, which  follows the inundation of complaints by subscribers to  the NCC office about menace of unsolicited text messages and voice calls from mobile operators,  which have impacted negatively on consumer quality service in the telecom industry.

However, a N500, 000 per day fine awaits the operators who contravene this order.