Device Checker To Block Fake, Non-Compliant Phones From Networks- NCC
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said its device checker initiative will help identify fake, cloned and non-compliant mobile devices and prevent them from connecting to telecommunications networks.
The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, stated this at a sensitisation programme on key issues in the telecommunications industry and Nigeria’s digital space in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the initiative would also improve service quality, protect consumers and strengthen confidence in devices sold in the Nigerian market.
Ogoh said the integrity of the telecommunications sector depended not only on network infrastructure but also on the quality, safety and compliance of devices connected to it.
“The integrity of the telecommunications industry depends not only on the network infrastructure but also on the quality, safety and compliance of the devices that are assessed and used on these networks.
“For this reason, type approval is not merely a regulatory requirement, it is a vital mechanism for protecting consumers, safeguarding performance and preserving confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.
He added that the Commission had a statutory responsibility to ensure that communications equipment deployed in the country met established standards.
Citing Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, Ogoh said licensed service providers, facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers were required to obtain type approval from the Commission before communications equipment could be sold or used in Nigeria.
“Devices operating on Nigerian networks must meet established technical standards and comply with applicable regulatory requirements. This helps to ensure compatibility with network infrastructure, protect users, improve service quality and strengthen trust in the communications ecosystem,” he said.
Ogoh said the NCC had also made provisions for devices already in stock to be onboarded, while imported devices would be verified and authenticated to identify non-compliant, cloned or counterfeit products.
“Every consumer deserves confidence that the devices being purchased and used meet required standards,” he said.
On consumer protection, he said the initiative would reduce concerns over the technical compliance of devices, potential security risks and their impact on users’ experience on telecommunications networks.
Addressing concerns about personal data privacy, Ogoh said the system would retain device identification information, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, for regulatory purposes.
“It does not provide the Commission with access to the content of users’ devices nor does it enable the Commission to monitor personal communications. The objective of the initiative is regulatory compliance relating to communications devices strictly,” he said.
“It is not a surveillance tool and does not provide access to personal information stored on those devices,” he added.
The Head of Corporate Communications of the NCC, Olawaiye Olasumbo, urged media practitioners and other stakeholders to support public awareness efforts on the initiative.
“We encourage your continued supports in creating public awareness about this initiative,” she said.
