Crisis of trust is gradually building up between telecoms subscribers’ and the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This is stemming from the fact that contrary to the claims of the Commission that mere sending of ‘STOP’ to a coded number, 2442 will end the receipt of unsolicited sms and calls, checks at the NCC’s tweeter handle show that majority of subscribers have tried it and it failed as they continue to receive the unsolicited sms and calls.
An unedited conversation on NCC’s tweeter handle recently goes thus:
Mar 31Ajibola Akingbade @Ajibola_0804
@ig_duba @NgComCommission alright bro, will do just that… Thanks!!

Mar 31Emperor Epiphany @Lexxyskull
@NgComCommission I have, but @MTNNG still insists on sending me unsolicited text messages advertising their products & services.

Mar 31Ibeh @utellmemore
@NgComCommission if it works that will be great. Those messages are so annoyingggggggg

Mar 31Idris @idiyabs
@NgComCommission yes but I still receive those messages with subscribing to any help pls

Mar 31Franklin uboh @franklinuboh
@NgComCommission why ask qst since you permit service providers yo still from Nigerians? Hv you assisted Nigerians before?

Mar 31Franklin uboh @franklinuboh
@NgComCommission NCC is a failure! They endorse telecom service providers to steal form Nigerians

Mar 31Franklin uboh @franklinuboh
@NgComCommission calling NCC yo assist u is a waste of time ;they team up with telecom network to rob Nigerians

Mar 31Franklin uboh @franklinuboh
@ig_duba @Ajibola_0804 @NgComCommission the NCC 622 is a waste of time and energy.

Mar 31Bayo Mohamed Onimode @Bayonimode
@NgComCommission Yes

23hgladys @GladysEki
@NgComCommission Yes and am still receiving unsolicited messages.

13hFreedom + Humanity @bello_richifa
@NgComCommission what does this 2442 code mean?

13hEyibara paul akpuzou @eyibara
@NgComCommission but messages still comes from all the network providers
In an interview, a Cyber security expert who pleaded anonymity said “What I can say is responsible for the continued reception of unsolicited sms after doing what NCC asked subscribers to do is that may be, networks have developed an App that can beat the NCC’s 2442 code or NCC did not configure and programme the real work of the code very well”.
For several months now, the Commission had been educating telecoms consumers on their rights to quality telecoms services, and has advised subscribers on how to stop unsolicited text messages by sending “STOP” to “2442”.
In a recent statement by the Director Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, NCC said “This is part of the ongoing campaign to enlighten consumers on their rights to better services”.
In declaring 2017 as the year of Nigerian Telecom Consumer recently, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said the year of the Consumer will focus on two key areas viz improving the Quality of Service; Protecting and educating the Consumer.
“To address the unsolicited calls received by consumers, the NCC has introduced the Do Not Disturb (DND) 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 do not get such complaints addressed by the Network operator.
According to him, NCC intends to increase the awareness level and equally the activation level of these two initiatives, adding that in its determination to ensure that the consumer experiences improved Quality of Service in the year and beyond, “the Commission is implementing measures to reduce Dropped Call Rate (DCR) to meet its benchmark of less than one percent.
It will closely monitor, track and review the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of operators by Network Integrity and Technical Standards Department”, adding that “greater efforts would also be put in Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement of set standards”.
The Commission has begun an enlightenment campaign to let the consumers know what to do whenever the issue of unsolicited telemarketing arises.
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 (SIM) 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 NCC declared.
