NCC calls for control over mining, use of data

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for the exercise of authority and control over the mining and usage of data to increase data value and minimise data-related costs and risks.

NCC executive vice-chairman Umar Danbatta made the call in his keynote address at the Nigeria Digital Sense Forum organised by ITRealm in Lagos on Thursday.

Mr Danbatta said data is critical to the digital economy, and all must prioritise building robust legal frameworks for data governance.

According to him, as we embrace the transformative potential of 5G, we must also prioritise safety concerns.

He said the amount and speed of data generated using 5G technology was unprecedented.

As such, the need to prioritise consumer privacy, transparency and ethical data use, stressing that “by cultivating trust and handling data responsibly, we can unlock the full potential of 5G technology and promote innovation in Nigeria.”

“We know Nigeria is a highly technology-driven country, and the advent of 5G technology has opened up immense opportunities and challenges, especially regarding data governance, safety, and security,” explained the NCC boss.

He added,

“While 5G technology has enhanced capabilities that will provide superior communications services for the socio-economic development of Nigeria and facilitate the attainment of a National Digital Economy.”

According to him, we must consider the challenges that come with it, particularly in protecting user data privacy and safety.

Mr Danbatta said to ensure the security and protection of networks and consumers, the NCC Act mandates its licensees to prevent their network facilities or services from being used.

The president of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Adesina Shodiya, as the chairman of the occasion, said that all should ensure the safe use of the internet and technology.

Mr Shodiya said one must consider using it to enhance career, irrespective of the profession.

NCC fixes $0.10 for international calls termination

The Nigerian Communications Commission has set $0.10 as the new fixed International Termination Rate for voice services paid by overseas telecom carriers for ending international calls on local networks in Nigeria.

The ITR pertains to the cost of bringing call traffic into Nigeria, and it was increased from the $0.045 initially presented in December last year as a floor price.

The Commission said the new rate, which would take effect September 1, 2022, was the fixed rate for ITR services.It added that international operators were mandated to pay local operations in dollars.

This is according to a document on the Determination of Mobile (Voice) International Termination Rate (As Amended) as of August 25, 2022, which is available on the NCC website.On the reason for backtracking on the floor price to a fixed price, the NCC noted,

“While the Determination had set a floor price at $0.045 and gives the MNOs room to negotiate on commercial terms with carriers, there were related indications that MNOs took advantage of this latitude to engage in discriminatory pricing that favours their related international carrier partners to the detriment of the Nigerian transit/IDA operators.

“To check the incidence of such anticompetitive disposition, it was agreed by all parties at the meetings that a fixed rate should be adopted by the Commission, in place of the floor rate which had provided a platform for negotiations with various carriers at a rate above the floor.

“It was further agreed that the present Determination should be amended to include this new fixed rate.”

NCC alerts Nigerians on virus that steals banking details

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted the citizens on the discovery of a damaging malware called “FluBot.”

The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the malware steals banking details by attacking Android devices with fake security updates and App installations.

According to him, the virus attacks Android devices by pretending to be “FedEx, DHL, Correos, and Chrome applications” and compels unsuspecting users to alter the accessibility configurations on their devices to maintain a continuous presence on devices.

He stressed that FluBot is circulated through SMS and can snoop “on incoming notifications, initiate calls, read or write SMSes, and transmit the victim’s contact list to its control centre.”

The statement read: “According to the information received on October 21, 2021, from the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), Flubot ‘targets Androids with fake security updates and App installations.

“The ngCERT affirmed that Flubot ‘impersonates Android mobile banking applications to draw fake web view on targeted applications’ and its goal transcends stealing personal data and essentially targets stealing of credit card details or online banking credentials.

“The new malware undermines the security of devices by copying fake login screens of prominent banks, and the moment the users enter their login details on the fake pages, their data is harvested and transmitted to the malware operators’ control point from where the data is exploited by intercepting banking-related One Time Passwords (OTPs) and replacing the default SMS app on the targeted Android device.

Consequently, it secures admittance into the device through SMS and proceeds to transmit similar messages to other contacts that may be on the device it has attacked enticing them into downloading the fake app.

“It suffices to say that, when Flubot infects a device, it can result in incalculable financial losses.

Additionally, the malware creates a backdoor which grants access to the user’s device, thus enabling the invader or attacker to perform other criminal actions, including launching other variants of malware.”

Malware is commonly used to describe a virus or software designed specially to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorised access to a computer system.

The commission also offered tips on how to guide against the virus.

It added: “The NCC hereby wishes to reiterate the advisory of ngCERT as follows:

In view of this discovery and understanding of the process by which this malware operates, and in order to protect millions of telecom consumers and prevent criminal forces, irrespective of location, from using telecom platforms to perpetrate fraud and irredeemable damages, the NCC advised that:

– Do not click on the link if you receive a suspicious text message, and do not install any app or security update the page asks you to install.

-Use updated antivirus software that detects and prevents malware infections.

– Apply critical patches to the system and application.

– Use strong passwords and enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) over logins.

– Back-up your data regularly.

– If you have been affected by this campaign, you should reset your device to factory mode as soon as possible. This will delete any data on your phone, including personal data.

– Do not restore from backups created after installing the app. You may contact ngCERT on *incident@cert.gov.ng* for technical assistance.

– You will also need to change the passwords to all of your online accounts, with urgency, around your online bank accounts.

– If you have concerns that your accounts may have been accessed by unauthorised people, contact your bank immediately.

NCC outlines consequence of linking NIN with another person’s SIM

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned the general public against linking their National Identification Number (NIN) to another person’s Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, irrespective of affiliations with said person.

This warning was issued on Monday by the NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen, during the third run Telecom Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR) programme, broadcast live on Human Rights Radio, 101.1 FM in Abuja.

The event was hosted on the platform of ‘NCC Digital Signature on Radio’.

The NCC Digital Signature on Radio is the flagship radio programme of the Commission created to educate the general public on the mandates of the Commission.

According to Idehen, “on no account should a telecom consumer allow another person to register a SIM with another person’s NIN.”

The NCC official further clarified that this was for the protection of the user due to any liabilities or negative consequences arising from the use of another person’s SIM.

“If the person, whose SIM is linked to your line use his own SIM to commit crimes or any form of atrocities, it is easy to be traced to you and then, you will be dealt with because the SIM is linked to your NIN,” he said.

During the radio programme, telecoms consumers were also reminded repeatedly of the October 31, 2021 deadline for NIN-SIM integration.

NCC disqualifies Nigerians below 18 years from obtaining SIM

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has disqualified residents below the age of 18 from registering and owning a Subscriber Identity Module in Nigeria.

This is according to the draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the commission’s website.

In the modified regulations, NCC limited telecoms subscribers to only include anyone above the age of 18.

“‘Subscriber’ means a person not below the age of 18 years who subscribes to communications services by purchasing a subscription medium or entering into a subscription contract with a licensee.”

The Licensee refers to ‘a provider of communications services that utilises a subscription medium in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.

The regulations were made in line with the powers conferred upon the commission by section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act,2003.

In accordance with Section 57 of the Act, the NCC conducted a Public Inquiry on the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, alongside the draft SIM Replacement Guidelines and the draft Spectrum Trading Guidelines at its head office in Abuja on Tuesday.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner Stakeholders’ Management, Mr Adeleke Adewolu, gave the opening remark at the event.

He said, “The public inquiry is an avenue that enables the commission develop and review its regulatory instruments by incorporating the comments and suggestions of industry stakeholders.”

During the public inquiry, which was held physically and virtually, key stakeholders, including MTN, urged the commission to revise the age limit.

MTN asked the commission to make the age limit 14 years and above.

The NCC, however, insisted on 18 years and above for anyone who wants to own and register a SIM in Nigeria.

No going back on Oct 31 deadline for NIN-SIM integration —NCC

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has warned telecom users in the country that there is no plan to move the set October 31 deadline to link National Identity Numbers (NIN) to Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM).

It further said that Nigerians who do not have a NIN would soon be denied the ability to obtain driving licenses and passports.

NCC gave the warning in a statement issued after the second edition of the Telecoms Consumer Town Hall radio programme held on Wednesday.

According to the statement titled ‘NIN-SIM Integration: NCC sensitises telecom consumers on October 31 Deadline’, NCC urged telecoms consumers to link their NINs with their SIMs before the expiration of the deadline of October 31, 2021, set by the Federal Government.

Speaking during the live programme, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, advised Nigerians to make use of the extension of the NIN-SIM integration exercise to October 31, 2021, to enroll with NIMC, get their NINs and link them to their SIMs.

“Soon, people without NIN will be denied of necessary services that play vital roles in their lives including the acquisition of the driving license, passport,” the statement further said.

On the benefits of the NIN-SIM integration, Adinde said the exercise will significantly enhance national security as NIN is the primary identity for Nigerians, stressing that in line with Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that Nigeria deploys technology to improve service delivery, the NIN-SIM database will enhance citizens’ access to government services.”

NCC’s Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen, said, “Those SIMs without unique identification could be used to commit crimes that remain untraceable.”

NCC vows to sanction telcos over forced subscriptions

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that it will sanction telecom providers forcefully subscribing consumers to value-added services (VAS).

This warning was contained in a statement issued by Efosa Idehen, director of consumer affairs bureau at NCC, via a video published on the commission’s Twitter account on Friday, February 26.

Idehen explained that VAS is the value added by a service provider to a consumer and if there are no value-added, it is wrong to forcefully subscribe one to it.

Forceful subscription is a no to the commission. For you to subscribe into VAS, a message is first sent to you and then another is sent for confirmation on whether a consumer wants to subscribe to the service or not,” he said.

“If they forcefully subscribe you to content without permission or confirmation, report such case to the commission.

“It is an offence and it is punishable by sanction, there are penalties for forcefully subscribing VAS if consumers didn’t subscribe to it. ”

Idehen advised consumers to always check the contents of any VAS product shared/delivered, as when one is subscribed to such, there are terms and conditions applied to it.

In his remarks, Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice-chairman (EVC) of NCC, says subscribers in the country now consume 80 terabytes of data monthly.

According to a report by NCC, basic active internet subscriptions grew from 90 million to 154.3 million between 2015 and 2020.

“According to the latest statistics on data usage, Nigerians are consuming in excess of about 80 terabytes of data monthly,” Danbatta said.

We have seen this trend for quite a while due to increase in data usage and increase in online activities, which has led to the increase in demand of data by consumers.”

The EVC further said NCC is fully aware of the difficulties consumers face with their telecom providers on data consumption.

NCC had reported that between January 2019 and April 2020, it received a total of 26,169 complaints, majorly on poor services and data consumption.

It also said that during the COVID-19 lockdown, 76 consumer complaints were received, bordering on data, billing, SIM registration, credit depletion, value-added services (VAS), line barred, poor network, and fraud.

We are aware of the difficulties consumers are experiencing when it comes to data consumption.

“We have received complaints of how consumers’ data is been depleted quickly. However, this depletion is a result of usage by consumers or as a result of an allegation being said that mobile operators are overcharging consumers.”

Danbatta pledged to continue to defend consumers from dubious practices in the telecom industry.

Reps Ask NCC To Extend Deadline On Blocking SIM Cards Without NIN.

The House of Representatives have asked the National Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the 31st December deadline issued to sim card owners to submit their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to their network providers to prevent blocking.

The motion was moved on Wednesday during plenary by the House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu.

According to the lawmaker, two weeks is too short for 200million Nigerians to conclude the process.

The House lauds the intention of the NCC, for security reasons but wants the process to be extended to 10 weeks, considering the difficulty experienced by Nigerians in attaining the NIN.

The Federal Government on Tuesday issued an ultimatum to all telecommunications operators in the country to block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) without National Identification Number (NIN).

It also ordered the network operators to ask all their subscribers to provide valid NIN to update their records and suspend SIM registration.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, noted in a statement that the meeting was convened on Monday by the Minister, Dr. Isa Pantami.

According to him, the meeting resolved that the submission of NIN by subscribers would take place between December 16 and 30, 2020.

The government stated that after the deadline, all SIMs without NINs should be blocked from the networks while a Ministerial Task Force comprising the minister and all the CEOs, among others, as members would monitor compliance by all networks.

It warned that violations of the directives by any network operator would be met with stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating licences.

Adinde explained that the meeting followed the earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators.

The need to consolidate the achievements of last year’s SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector was exhaustively discussed and all stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures had become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.

Federal government to slash price of data by up to 50%

The Federal Government on Thursday directed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) put in place measures to effect more than 50 per cent reduction in data price.

The minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantamion Thursday broke the news in a statement.

Accordingly, the price data of 1GB has been reduced from 1000 naira to 487 naira beginning from last November.

The Minister said the new data price was in line with the directive he gave to the regulatory agency (NCC) to put measures in place to reduce the average cost of data in the country.

“The average cost of 1GB of data has reduced from the January 2020 cost of N1,000 to N487.18 in November, 2020.

“This was based on a report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) submitted to the Honourable Minister following the implementation of the directives,” Dr Pantami’s Technical Assistant, Mr Femi Adeluyi said in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

Adeluyi who is Technical Assistant, Information and Technology said: “The Honourable Minister had inaugurated a Committee that developed the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) on the 16th of December, 2019.

“The Plan was unveiled and launched by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the 19th of March, 2020.

“One of the goals of the Plan is to reduce the average cost of 1GB of data to a maximum of N390 by 2025.

“With the January 2020 baseline of N1,000 per GB, the maximum projected steady decrease for the end of each year was as follows: 2020 (N925), 2021 (N850), 2022 (N775), 2023 (N700), 2024 (N545) and 2025 (N390).

In line with Dr Pantami’s commitment to under promise and over deliver, the measures have caused the current cost of data to reduce significantly beyond the December 2020 projection of N925.

“Based on the Report by NCC, the average cost of data as at November 2020 was N487.18, which amounts to 47.33% lower than the projected value.

” The Report also indicates that the cost of data in November 2020 was less than 50% of the cost of data in January 2020.

“policies are in place to ensure that operators adopt competitive pricing that eschews unjustifiable margins. The general public may also wish to note that complaints about rapid data depletion are also being investigated.”

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, through the NCC, will continue to ensure that consumers enjoy a price regime that supports fairness and is friendly to consumers.