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Tag: NCC

  • How to end unsolicited messages by network providers

    How to end unsolicited messages by network providers

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged network subscribers to leverage on its short code 2442 to end unsolicited messages by the Value Added Services (VAS) providers and network providers.

    The Zonal Controller, NCC, Enugu, Ogbonnaya Ugama, who made the call while speaking on Monday in Enugu, noted that most often, the VAS providers and network forcefully sent unsolicited messages and marketing calls to its customers which they did not requested for.

    He described the provision of the short code by the NCC as “protection of the right of the consumers” to choose freely, the services they desire for.

    “To stop unsolicited messages, use our do not disturb code of 2442 by typing ‘STOP’ and sending to 2442, to stop all unsolicited messages, or send ‘HELP’ to same code and follow the prompt to choose the options of the types of messages you want to receive.

    “You can also send ‘STATUS’ to 2442 to see if your choices have been implemented”, Ugama advised.

    The zonal controller also advised Nigerians to use the 112 toll free line provided by the commission in any event of an emergency.

    He said the number was easy to remember and toll free to reach any first responders they want to call.

    “You can use the number to call Police, Road Safety, Fire Service, Ambulance and Health authorities,” he said.

    Ugama, however, expressed the determination of the commission to protect the rights of customers of the telecommunication companies in the country.

    He stated that NCC had the interest of the public and telecom consumers at heart and would do their regulatory duty to protect it.

    On SIM Card Porting, the zonal controller said with it, consumers could easily move from one network to another and still retain the phone number they were using.

    According to him, some people find it difficult to switch from one network provider to another, stressing they were afraid of losing their number or contacts.

    “With the ability to port, their number contacts is secured,” he added.

  • BREAKING: Airtel emerges sole bidder for second 5G spectrum auction

    BREAKING: Airtel emerges sole bidder for second 5G spectrum auction

    Airtel Nigeria has emerged as the sole bidder for the second auction of the 5G spectrum by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Reuben Mouka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, at the close of business on Monday, December 5, 2022, only two companies expressed interest in the auction of the remaining 3.5GHz spectrum band for 5G deployment.

    The two companies, according to the statement, are Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel) and Standard Network & Connections Limited (Standard Network).

    TNG gathered that Standard Network, a little-known entrant in the telecoms sector, however, failed to pay the Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) amount as stipulated in the information memorandum.

    The information memorandum pegged the IBD at USD27,360,000.00, being 10% of the reserve price per lot, which NCC disclosed Airtel has paid.

    The reserve price is the minimum price for one Lot of 100MHz TDD for a ten (10) year licence tenure fixed at USD273,600,000.00 only or its equivalent in Naira at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates at the time of the auction.

    NCC disclosed that there will be no further bidding with the emergence of Airtel as the sole bidder for the remaining 5G spectrum.

    The telecom firm that fell out in the first auction will now proceed to the assignment stage in line with the published information memorandum guiding the licensing process.

    Meanwhile, it is yet to be confirmed if Airtel will go for the remaining two lots in the 3.5 MHz spectrum band on offer.

  • BREAKING: Reps approve N599 billion as NCC budget for 2023

    BREAKING: Reps approve N599 billion as NCC budget for 2023

    The House of Representatives has approved N599.080 billion as the budget of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the approval came following the consideration of the report on the NCC budget by the Committee of Supply, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase.

    The key provisions of the budget were N86.7 billion for Recurrent Expenditure; N5.2 billion for Capital Expenditure; and the sum of N35.089 billion for Special Projects.

    The sum of N16 billion was approved to be transferred to the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF); another N416.013 billion was for transfer to the Federal Government of Nigeria; and the sum of N16 billion for the Budget of the USPF).

    TNG reports that the third reading of the money bill was slated for another legislative day.

  • BEWARE: Threat actors take over viral TikTok challenge

    BEWARE: Threat actors take over viral TikTok challenge

    The Nigerian Communications Commission’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) has warned about the potential harm of taking part in the Invisible Challenge on short-form video hosting service, TikTok, revealing that it exposes devices to Information-Stealing Malware.

    An NCC-CSIRT advisory disclosed that threat actors have taken advantage of the viral TikTok challenge, known as the Invisible Challenge to disseminate an information-stealing malware known as the WASP (or W4SP) stealer.

    The WASP stealer, which is high in probability with critical damage potential, is a persistent malware hosted on discord that its developer claim is undetectable.

    The advisory reads: “The Invisible Challenge involves wrapping a somewhat transparent body contouring filter around a presumed naked individual. Attackers are uploading videos to TikTok with a link to software that they claim can reverse the filter’s effects.

    “Those who click on the link and attempt to download the software, known as “unfilter,” are infected with the WASP stealer. Suspended accounts had amassed over a million views after initially posting the videos with a link. Following the link leads to the “Space Unfilter” Discord server, which had 32,000 members at its peak but has since been removed by its creators.

    “Successful installation will allow the malware to harvest keystrokes, screenshots, network activity, and other information from devices where it is installed. It may also covertly monitor user behaviour and harvest Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including names and passwords, keystrokes from emails, chat programs, websites visited, and financial activity.

    “This malware may be capable of covertly collecting screenshots, video recordings, or the ability to activate any connected camera or microphone,” it explained.

    The Team said some ways to forestall such an attack include avoiding clicking on suspicious links, using anti-malware software on your devices, checking app tray and removing any apps that you do not remember installing or that are dormant and embracing healthy password hygiene practices such as using a password manager.

    The CSIRT is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence centre set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector and as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large.

    The CSIRT also works collaboratively with Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), established by the Federal Government to reduce the volume of future computer risk incidents by preparing, protecting, and securing Nigerian cyberspace to forestall attacks, and problems or related events.

  • NCC seeks judiciary’s interest in ICT trends

    NCC seeks judiciary’s interest in ICT trends

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is seeking the nation’s judiciary to be part of Information Communications Technology (ICT) trends, whose impact has now affected ways that justice is delivered across the world.

    The leadership of the Commission made the call during a workshop organized for Nigerian judges which started in Lagos on Tuesday with the theme: “The digital world and the future of adjudication,” with judges from the federal and state high courts, and appeal courts in attendance.

    Speaking at the 18th annual capacity-building workshop, the Chairman, NCC Board of Commissioners, Prof. Adeolu Akande, urged the legal luminaries to make greater contributions towards Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development in Nigeria.

    While stating the centrality of a functional adjudicatory system as a bedrock for any civilised society, Akande said there was the need to constantly equip judicial officers with the requisite skills for effectual adjudication, especially in the digitized world, where the rate if technology development t is fast ahead of laws.

    Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, in his address, said the Internet comes with several challenges, hence the need for judges to be exposed to the benefits as well as the challenges associated with new technologies.

    The EVC said through the workshop, judges will be exposed to disruptive technologies, the rights of data subjects, and jurisdictional issues in the digital age, which have continued to make the ICT industry a dynamic one.

    “The increased reliance on telecommunications, as well as the growth experienced in the sector, has introduced some issues of legal connotation which will be deliberated upon by various experts during this workshop. One of such issues is the ownership of online content and materials.

    “So, it is envisaged that with the increase in the amount of online content, as well as the economic value attached to it, there will be a rise in conflicts as to ownership of online content and materials.

    “It is necessary that your lordships are well prepared for the imminent increase in litigation in this area. Furthermore, with an increase in the number of transactions and businesses taking place in the online space, it is also expedient for your lordships to be exposed to the peculiarities of adjudicating conflicts in this era of digital presence and online identity,” he said.

    He stated that the Commission conceived the idea of the forum, as part of its strategic partnership and collaboration, as a forum to further build the capacity of the distinguished judges with practical insights on these emerging issues in the field of telecommunications.

    “Hopefully, this workshop will illuminate these challenges and proffer ways to meet the dynamics of the changing times. I, therefore, enjoin you to freely make contributions and raise issues that would assist the commission in coming up with adequate regulatory measures that would enhance development in the communications sector of the economy.  We assure you that every view expressed would be respected and considered in this regard,” he said.

    On his part, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, commended the Commission for the annual forum while assuring the telecom regulatory of the commitment of the judiciary to using technology for justice dispensation as well as support a more robust legal ecosystem for sustaining socio-economic growth of Nigeria through telecoms sector.

    Represented by Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Ariwoola said, through the use of ICT, the judiciary has improved, not just in judicial administration and services, but also in infrastructural development.

    Ariwoola said regardless of the benefits of digitalisation there are bound to be liabilities and risks involved with its introduction and usage as she highlighted such risks to include Cyber Crime, data piracy, and hacking among several other vices.

    “Our judicial system has been challenged with delays in dispensing justice. However, with the introduction of ICT into the judicial space, many of the difficulties associated with the conventional methods are gradually being dispensed with,” he said.

    The Chief Justice said the path to effective and efficient justice delivery in Nigeria lies in the collective ability to continuously improve the nation’s justice sector with the use of ICT tools. “The Nigerian judiciary is committed to achieving lasting structural and ethical reforms that would reposition it to adequately meet the aspirations of court users and the public for the reliable, effective and efficient administration of justice through the use of ICT,” he said.

  • NCC, stakeholders call for collaboration to bridge digital gap

    NCC, stakeholders call for collaboration to bridge digital gap

    The Nigeria Communications Commission  (NCC) and some Information Technology experts have called for collaboration in the telecommunications industry to support Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to achieve effective service delivery.

    The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, said at the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF) on Friday in Lagos, that such collaboration would bridge the digital gap between the unserved and underserved.

    MVNO is a wireless  communications service provider that does not own wireless  infrastructure over which it provides services to its customers.

    The EVC said in NCC’s drive to create an enabling environment, it licensed MVNOs to generate employment and also bridge the gap between the unserved and underserved.

    Danbatta was represented by NCC’s Director of Licencing and Authorisation, Alhaji Muhammad Babajika, at the forum with the theme, “Creating  Awareness and Ensuring Sustainability of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria’s 5G Ecosystem.”

    Danbatta said the MVNOs would also further engender competition and provide choices for telecommunications consumers.

    He said it was, therefore, imperative for the stakeholders in the industry to collaborate.

    ‘’The effort would contribute positively while continuing to ensure that operations are conducted within respective telecommunications licences to ensure that service challenges and demands are adequately delivered.

    ‘’I know that the success of this gathering will result in strengthening partnerships for improved service delivery,” he said.

    The managing director, Wireless Technology Labs, Mr Satya Mekala, in his presentation titled, “How to build a successful MVNO Business in Nigeria,” said MVNOs had the opportunity to improve lives and societies.

    He said MVNOs had the capacity to improve lives and the society by opening up the benefits of mobile services to lower income families and smaller companies, thereby making substantial contributions to the economy.

    The Chief Operating Officer, WTES, Mr Chidi Ajuzie, said the MVNO helped the local ecosystem to grow, creating new jobs and promoting digital initiatives.

    Ajuzie said the biggest challenge faced by MVNOs was the possibility of big telecommunications companies stifling them if there was a perceived threat.

    In her welcome address, Managing Editor, Business Remarks, said mobile technology played an increasingly important role for consumers and businesses alike, and for many Nigerians.

    Olarenwaju  said mobile broadband was the first and only option for accessing the internet.

    She said its increased growth and adoption had created an opportunity for MVNOs to provide new digital solutions for small and large enterprises and customers.

    According to her, this is primarily because MVNOs have the flexibility, agility, connectivity, and competitive pricing to develop new value-added solutions, innovative B2B, B2C, IoT applications, rich communication messaging and offerings.

    Olarenwaju said until recently, MVNO penetration across Africa had been relatively slower than the rest of the world.

    She said the COVID-19 pandemic had created more opportunities for MVNOs to position themselves as competitors within the market.

    ‘’The introduction of MVNOs is believed to add value for both operators and customers.

    “For the operators by using their available excess capacity and for the customers by offering innovative and several niche value-added services that were not offered by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

    ‘’From the consumer side, MVNOs can provide more competitive offerings, which means lower costs without compromising on service,” Olarenwaju  said.

    She said utilising network capacity without having to own it freed up costs that were passed down to the consumer.

    According to her, MVNOs can also offer a more tailor-made service via MNOs, which tends to offer more of a generic service that suits the masses.

    She, however, said the TSSF series would run for five years to harness and evaluate the successes recorded in this segment of the Nigeria telecom sector.

  • INEC working with NCC to counter result transmission issues in 2023 – Yakubu

    INEC working with NCC to counter result transmission issues in 2023 – Yakubu

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the commission is already working to resolve election result issues that may arise from blind network spots.

    Newsmen reports that the INEC chairman stated this at a One-Day Strategic Interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Friday.

    The INEC chairman’s reaction followed reservations by Nigerians on the possibility of using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in poor network areas as it depended on the telecommunications network to work.

    Yakubu said the commission would be meeting with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday, on mobile network issues that might affect transmission of results.

    He said that Nigerians had nothing to fear about the effectiveness of result transmission in the 2023 general elections using the BVAS.

    The INEC chairman said they were liaising with NCC to make sure there would be seamless transmission of results in the 2023 elections.

    “INEC has identified blind spots (where there is poor or no networks) and we are working to make sure there won’t be any problem.

    “We are working with the NCC to make sure we transmit from blind spots. They are the network regulators and they will be very vital to that.

    “We are making sure and working hard so that we transmit freely all around the country,” he said.
    Earlier, Mr Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, appralednto the media to continue to assist the commission to fight misinformation.

    Okoye said that 84 days to the general elections, the spare of fake news and misinformation on the electoral processes had become worrisome for the commission.

    He said said there was need for the media to assist in tackling the menace of false information for a successful general elections in 2023.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Mr Olusegun Agbaje said the media had continued to play very important role in sustaining democracy in Nigeria.

    He urged the media to assist the commission in further ensuring that I formation on the upcing elections remained accurate and balanced.

  • Huawei names computer lab after NCC boss

    Huawei names computer lab after NCC boss

    A computer lab, constructed by Huawei Technologies and commissioned at the weekend to serve the community of Koguna Town of Makoda Local Government of Kano State, has been named “Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta Computer Lab”.

    Director, Public Relations of Huawei Nigeria, Lola Fafore, said at the commissioning, which was witnessed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and the District Head of Makoda, Alhaji Labaran Abdullahi, that the project was among the company’s contribution to Nigeria as part of its corporate social responsibility. Fafore assured that Huawei will continue to promote digital inclusion, primarily through the provision of access to technology.

    “Huawei has been operating in Nigeria for over 22 years now and we can say that Nigeria is a great country filled with many great talents and potential. We love the Nigerian people and are happy to always give back through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives such as this,”

    “Huawei is therefore constantly making more effort in terms of connectivity, applications, and skills transfer to promote digital inclusion for all. This is in line with Huawei’s mission to bring digital services to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected intelligent world. As part of our contribution to this great nation, we believe in making technology accessible to all. Technology should not be for the few, but for everyone,” she said.

    In appreciation of naming the centre after him and donating to the community, Danbatta commended Huawei Nigeria Limited. He also thanked the company for the central role it has played in the development of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

    “This computer laboratory was built through a huge donation by Huawei. And Huawei is a household name in Nigeria. They provide and manage services for major telecommunications companies in Nigeria. They are dominant in that sector. I can’t imagine the state of telecoms in Nigeria without the invaluable role that Huawei is playing in the country,” Danbatta said.

    Traditional ruler of Makoda who doubles as Barayan Bichi, poured encomiums on the donors and the NCC boss, whose philanthropic disposition attracted the gesture to the community.

    He said Danabatta has been making invaluable contributions to the development of our communities, the state, and the nation at large. The community leader stated that Danbatta has implemented many philanthropic and people-oriented projects in his Danbatta community in addition to his strides in driving the development of ICT adoption and usage, through numerous initiatives as the country’s Chief Telecoms Regulator.

    Those who attended the commissioning ceremony include, the Vice Chairman of Makoda Local Government, Alhaji Yusif Bala, the Director of Human Capital and Administration of NCC, Barrister Usman Malah, the Chief of Staff to the EVC, Malam Hafiz Shehu, and the Controller, NCC Zonal Office in Kano, Malam Shuaibu Swade among others.

  • Again, NCC warns against use of non-type approved phones

    Again, NCC warns against use of non-type approved phones

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has again cautioned consumers against the patronage and use of counterfeit devices and devices that have not been typed approved, strongly warning that such devices negatively affect the quality of experience while leaving their users vulnerable to losses and other discomforts.

    The warning came following the Commission’s enforcement activities in Kano where it arrested representatives of three companies responsible for the sale of counterfeit as well as non-type-approved devices.

    According to a statement released on Wednesday by Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, the arrested persons have been handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and further necessary action.

    “The enforcement team arrested Yahaya Ado of Gezawa Communications Limited for selling counterfeit Gionee devices and not being able to show any evidence of authorization granted to the company by the Commission.

    “Messrs Nura Ahmed of Saleh Latest Venture and Rufai Nuhu of Al Mansoor Communications were also arrested because they were not licenced to engage in the sales and installation of terminal equipment and were unable to show any evidence of authorization from the Commission in that connection,” the statement reads.

    The NCC’s Head of Enforcement, Mallam Salisu Abdu, who led the team, expressed concerns at how the GSM Market on Beirut Street, Kano, was awash with counterfeit and non-type approved phones.

    Abdu bemoaned the fact that many of the vendors were not licensed by the Commission to provide such communication service they rendered.

    The non-type-approved phones found during the enforcement include Gionee branded phones with model numbers G800, and L990; H-Mobile phones with model numbers it5606+, H351; FoxKong with model numbers F30, F300; and KGTEL phones with model numbers K2160 and KG1100.

    “The Commission is determined to carry out post-enforcement checks to ensure that the sale of counterfeit devices is stopped.

    “The NCC will collaborate with market associations to ensure that appropriate licences are obtained by vendors and assist in apprehending the major dealers and suppliers of counterfeit devices,” the statement added.

  • First NCC Digital Park set for completion January 2023

    First NCC Digital Park set for completion January 2023

    Ahead of the auspicious commissioning of the Digital Industrial Park (DIP) project in Kano State, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has, once again, paid an inspection visit to the site of the ongoing construction of the project in Kano State where he got an unequivocal commitment from the contractors that the project will be completed by January 2023.

    The Friday’s inspection call by the NCC’s boss was part of the routine visits to ensure close monitoring and effective supervision of important projects that will have great impacts on the country’s socio-economic development.

    During the visit, the EVC, who was accompanied by the NCC’s Head of Projects, Philip Eretan, and the EVC’s Chief of Staff, Malam Hafiz Shehu, among others, with the Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor, Prof. Yusif Alhassan, in attendance, emphasized the need for the contractors to expedite efforts in completing the project on schedule.

    Addressing the contractors, Danbatta said that both the Federal and the State governments are following the progress being made at the construction site with keen interest owing to the value addition the project would make not only to the economy of the North-West geo-political zone but also to the country as a whole.

    “This is a project that Nigerians are eagerly waiting to be completed. The Federal Government and the State government are following it with keen interest, and at NCC, our responsibility is to ensure that there’s no further delay in delivery as we have been doing everything possible to ensure that we have the project commissioned in the next few months.

    “While I promise you that we will give you all the support you need, I also demand that progress report to be sent to me fortnightly over the two months period in order to ensure effective monitoring by us at NCC,” he said.

    Speaking further, the EVC commended the State Governor for proving land at a prime location in Kano for the project, which he said is an indication of the value the government attaches to the project.

    The DIPs currently being built across the six geo-political zones of the country by the NCC are expected to provide Innovation Labs and Digital Fabrication Laboratories (Fablabs) for use by digital innovators and entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into products and prototypes. The parks are also designed to provide broadband services and to have access to constant power supply.

    This is not the first time the NCC boss would pay a visit to the construction site of the project located at Audu Bako Secretariat in the ancient city, which doubles as the commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria.

    The EVC’s latest visit was sequel to a similar visit to the construction site in July 2022 and other visits he had made much earlier, essentially to assess the level of work that has been done so far to ensure that the project is delivered within the set deadline.

    During the July 2022 visit to the construction site, Danbatta pointed out that the project was conceived to support the Federal Government’s digital drive by facilitating the availability and accessibility of digital services across the country, and promoting their adoption and usage across all sectors, as well as providing youth employment in the country.

    “The idea of putting these two things (i.e., skill acquisition and innovation) at the forefront of this very important initiative is to produce youths that can be self-reliant, generate employment for themselves and other Nigerians,” he said.

    Danbatta had also stressed that no part of the country would be left out in benefitting from the initiative. “The project is another move to boost youth digital skills acquisition, promote innovations, provide jobs for the teeming Nigerian youth and ultimately support the overall digital economy agenda of the Federal Government,” he said.