NCC Raises Alarm Over Impact Of Fake Phones On Networks

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that fake and substandard mobile phones can disrupt network quality for other subscribers, even when they are not using the devices themselves.

The commission said counterfeit phones could interfere with shared telecommunications infrastructure, creating additional challenges for operators seeking to provide reliable services across the country.

The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, raised the concern at a news conference on the commission’s technical standards and network integrity initiatives in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ogoh explained that faulty devices could affect the quality of service available to other subscribers connected to the same cell sites.

“When you are using fake devices, because they are not operating the way a normal device should ordinarily operate, they don’t only impact the user of that fake device, they also impact people around that user,” he said.

He noted that subscribers within the same coverage area depend on shared network infrastructure. Consequently, interference from a non-compliant phone could extend beyond its owner and affect other users in the vicinity.

The warning comes as the commission strengthens its Type Approval Compliance framework to identify counterfeit, cloned and other non-compliant communications devices in the Nigerian market.

Ogoh said the initiative would complement existing efforts to improve telecommunications service quality by addressing problems associated with the devices subscribers use to access networks.

He acknowledged that poor network performance has several causes, including fibre-optic cable cuts, insecurity, flooding, disputes with landlords and conflicts with host communities. However, he said device-related problems also require regulatory attention.

“The commission actually looked at issues around quality of service. We found out that there are also quality of service issues attributable to the devices themselves,” he said.

Under the enhanced framework, the NCC plans to strengthen electronic verification to establish whether communications devices meet the technical standards required for use on Nigerian networks.

The commission requires manufacturers and suppliers to obtain type approval for communications equipment before selling or using it in Nigeria, in line with Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

Device models must undergo laboratory testing to establish compliance with applicable standards before suppliers can import them. The enhanced system will also help the regulator trace individual devices to their importers and identify businesses responsible for supplying non-compliant products.

Ogoh said the improved traceability would assist the commission in investigating complaints and taking enforcement action against businesses that supply devices that fail to meet the required standards.

“We know who brought in that device. We know when that device was brought in. We know how many units on that device were brought in,” he said.

The NCC disclosed that it had registered about 231 million devices before the enhanced compliance framework commenced. It assured consumers that the new verification requirements would not automatically block phones already in use.

“The approach we have taken from NCC is that those devices will continue to work. We are not blacklisting those that have come up before this,” Ogoh said.

He explained that subscribers who bought and used their phones before implementation began would not need to take any action. The commission intends to strengthen verification for devices entering the market under the new arrangements.

To curb the circulation of counterfeit phones, the NCC is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and market associations. The partnership aims to improve checks on imported devices and ensure that products entering the market meet the required standards.

Ogoh urged Nigerians to verify a phone’s compliance status before purchasing it, particularly when buying from unfamiliar sellers or considering unusually cheap offers.

He advised prospective buyers to check the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number printed on a phone’s packaging. Consumers can also retrieve the number by dialling *#06# on the device.

After obtaining the IMEI number, buyers can dial *315# and follow the prompts to check the phone’s verification status. Owners of dual-SIM phones should check both IMEI numbers before completing a purchase.

Ogoh said the process would help consumers avoid spending money on devices that fail to meet regulatory standards or deliver the expected performance.

Subscribers who encounter verification difficulties or disputes with sellers can contact the commission through its 315 support channel. The NCC said it could investigate complaints and take regulatory action where businesses violate the requirements.

Earlier, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, described telecommunications as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy.

She said public understanding would be essential to implementing the new requirements without causing unnecessary disruption to consumers and businesses.

The commission said it would continue engaging stakeholders and educating the public as it strengthens device compliance, protects consumers and safeguards the integrity of Nigeria’s telecommunications networks.