Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that it has
commenced the enforcement of the Do Not Disturb (DND), code which
compels mobile network operators to stop sending unsolicited messages to
their subscribers.
Prof Umar Danbatta executive vice chairman of NCC at a meeting with
the Academia on ITU Study Group Participation held at Digital Bridge
Institute, Abuja, said the move became imperative because the NCC had
given the operators ample time to comply with the regulatory directive
and was now ready to enforce the N5 million fine stipulated for any
breach of the directive by the regulator.
He said: “We are at the stage of imposing the Do Not Disturb (DND),
code direction, meaning that any breach of this direction will attract a
fine of N5 million.
“If
a consumer lodges complaint to NCC that a MNO send unsolicited text
messages and the complaint from the consumer get to us, we will ensure
that credit deducted from the consumers for this unsolicited text
messages is returned to the consumer and will also invoke provision of
the fine on the MNO which is N5 million.
“This is to ensure total compliance and this is a measure of last
resort. The NCC impose regulation as a measure of last resort, after we
have given the MNO time to ensure compliance and we have monitored them
to ensure compliance to ensure that the compliance is not selective.”