NIGERIA : NCC INTRODUCES DEVICES TO TACKLE SIM-RELATED CRIMES

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has instituted a Device Management System (DMS) to tackle SIM boxing and call masking, two acts that are threats to national security.

NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Prof Umar Garba Danbatta disclosed this Wednesday during his keynote address at the ICTEL virtual conference organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

“The DMS is intended to address the issue of type approval of telecom equipment and devices to ensure originality and standardisation because of the implication of substandard devices for health and quality of service.

“The DMS is also instituted to tackle the problem of SIM boxing and call masking, which not only constitutes threat to national security but also a mark of anti-competitive practice in the telecoms sector and a basis for loss of revenue in tax remittances to the government’’, Danbatta said.

The NCC boss who spoke on “Exploring Public Private Collaboration for a Robust Digital Infrastructure, Regulations, Investment and Policy”, said an adequate, robust and functioning infrastructure is the bedrock of communal and societal development.

He said to meet future challenges; industries and infrastructure must be upgraded by evolving an enduring PPP model that services all the sectors of the economy.