NCC Enforces Ban on Unsolicited Messages, Calls

Following a directive to telecommunications service providers by the Nigerian Communications Commission, the operators on Friday activated the ‘Do not disturb’ facility, which gives subscribers the freedom to choose what messages to receive from the various networks.

With this directive, the NCC said on Sunday that it had mandated the operators to dedicate a common short code (2442), which would enable subscribers to take informed decisions.

The Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, said the action was taken in order to protect subscribers from the pains of unsolicited texts messages, which he described as a direct regulatory response to their yearnings.

By this action, he said that the commission had invoked a regulatory provision, which had hitherto been overlooked by the operators.

Ojobo said, “Taking cognizance of the broad range of services, which include banking, insurance, financial products, real estate, education and health, the commission directed the operators to give the necessary instructions and clarifications that will enable subscribers to subscribe to a particular service or none at all.

“In fact, a full DND, which is the SMS ‘STOP’ to 2442, does not allow the subscriber to receive any unsolicited message from the operators at all.”

He, however, pointed out that the decision of the commission would not affect personal messages, or person-to-person messages.

He urged the operators to comply with the directive issued by the commission and should never gain harass subscribers with unwanted messages.