Stop Unsolicited SMS With 2442, NCC Tells Subscribers

The Nigerian Communications Commission has said that subscribers could stop unsolicited text messages if they send “STOP” to “2442.”

The NCC stated this on Sunday as part of efforts to educate telecommunications consumers on their rights to quality telecoms services.

According to the commission, the advice is also part of the ongoing campaign to enlighten consumers on their rights to better services.

The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the campaign would focus on two key areas – improving the quality of service; and protecting and educating the consumer.

He said, “To address the unsolicited calls received by consumers, the NCC has introduced the ‘Do Not Disturb’ facility where consumers are urged to activate the service by dialing 2442.”

The EVC also said that consumers should access the customer toll free line by dialing 622 to register their complaints if they could not get such complaints addressed by the network operator.

“The NCC intends to increase the awareness level and equally the activation level of these two initiatives,” Danbatta said, adding that in its determination to ensure that the consumer experienced improved quality of service in 2017 and beyond, “the commission is implementing measures to reduce Dropped Call Rate to meet its benchmark of less than one per cent.”

He said, “It will closely monitor, track and review the Key Performance Indicators of operators by Network Integrity and Technical Standards Department. Greater efforts will also be put in compliance, monitoring and enforcement of set standards.”

A statement made available to The PUNCH and signed by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, noted that the commission had begun an enlightenment campaign to let the consumers know what to do whenever the issue of unsolicited telemarketing arose.

“Jingles are already running on radio stations and adverts in the print and other media are underway.

Subscribers have also been advised to avoid purchasing pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module cards because of the dangers they portend to the security of our society. Every SIM card purchased must be registered with the network provider,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, subscribers in Wudil, Kano State, have expressed dismay over poor telecommunications services, as well as unsolicited calls/SMS by service providers.

The consumers made their case known at the 26th edition of the Consumer Town Hall meeting held in Wudil, and called for immediate stoppage of unsolicited calls and advertorials.

Subscribers on MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat networks said they were faced with challenges ranging from drop calls, arbitrary credit deduction, poor connectivity to several other technical issues.

However, representatives of the major service providers did not only defend their respective networks but promised to address all the challenges confronting consumers, as well as improve on their service delivery.

The Director, Consumers Affairs Bureau, Nigerian Communications Commission, Abdullahi Maikano, said the forum was to educate telecoms consumers and other stakeholders on contemporary issues generating interest in the industry.

“It is to serve as a feedback mechanism for the commission in making regulatory intervention for the benefit of the consumers and the service providers, as well as the industry as a whole,” he added.

PUNCH