Date: 2017-12-05

The Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said that the commission will aggressively address unsolicited calls and messages being received by telecommunications consumers.

He stated that to address the problem, the commission had introduced the 'Do ?not disturb' facility, where consumers were urged to activate the service by sending 'Stop' to 2442 to completely bar all promotional messages on their phones; or send 'Help' to 2442 to select relevant promotional messages that a consumer might require.

The Zonal Controller, NCC, Ibadan Zone, Mr. Olubunmi Bamijoko, who represented Danbatta, spoke during the 2017 telecoms consumers' conversation programme at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

This came as the Head, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, NCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr. Chimezie Amadi, in his lecture, said the commission had bolstered consumers' confidence about providing environment conducive to receive adequate information and education as well as the protection of their rights to be served.

He said, "The commission is determined to ensure that there is improvement in consumer experience and satisfaction. That explains why the NCC provided the 2442 'Do not disturb' short code, which enables consumers to manage unsolicited telemarketing messages they receive on their devices, as well as the provision of 622 toll free line though which consumers can escalate issues already reported to their service providers but had not been addressed satisfactorily."

Danbatta in his speech further said the NCC aimed to positively drive the awareness level and the activation level of the two initiatives which were to improve quality of service, protect and empower consumers.

He said, "We also want consumers to know that the commission has intensified efforts towards ensuring that the key performance indicators used to assess the performance of telecommunications operators are being aggressively monitored, reported and measures being taken to ensure full compliance.

"One of the key performance indicators that consumers are particular about is the drop call rate. The Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department of the commission is proactively engaging operators and tracking progress in the improvement of this KPI. Also, as part of the commission's drive towards keeping consumers informed, enlightenment initiatives about the environmental impact of telecoms infrastructure as may be applicable is being carried out by the commission."

He stated that as regulators, the NCC will continue to dedicate itself towards the satisfaction of consumers as well as other stakeholders in the industry.

According to him, it is the duty of both the NCC and telecoms operators to provide relevant, timely and useful information to telecommunications consumers in the country in a way that is easily accessible and understandable to consumers.

Danbatta noted that the availability of relevant and useful information will empower telecommunication consumers and the 'Year of the telecom consumer' is geared towards meeting this objective and assist consumers make decisions based on information available to them.

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Sidikat Ijaiye, said it was imperative to address challenges encountered by telecomm consumers. ?