NCC: Why Telcos May Not Meet June 30 Deadline on Unsolicited Messages

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

The Director of Consumers Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Abdullahi Maikano, on Wednesday said the June 30 deadline given to all telecommunication companies to dedicate a Short Code 2442 for use by subscribers to opt in to Do Not Disturb (DND) platform against unsolicited text messages (SMS), may not be met.

He expressed optimism that the database to register subscribers’ numbers may be up and running by this Thursday, adding: “NCC expects that by today all the platforms will be ready, so by 1July they will start advertising to educate subscribers on the unsolicited messages.”

Maikano, who spoke through the telephone, said it is expected that every stakeholder will commence educating the subscribers on the implication of the DND, which may be partial or full, adding that from Friday subscribers have the option to block any message that they don’t want to receive, stressing that operators will put a platform that enable subscribers pick the SMS that they want to receive.

He NCC has had several meeting with the service providers on the implication of not implementing the codes which he said could attract at first instance from N500,000 and above as stated in the directory.

Further details later