NCC Nigeria: Launches Device Checker Type Approval Framework

• The Nigerian Communications Commission has registered approximately 231 million telecommunications devices.
• A new Device Checker and Type Approval Compliance framework is being implemented to combat counterfeit and unapproved phones.
• Existing devices on the network are automatically registered, requiring no action from subscribers.
• New devices must undergo verification before accessing Nigerian telecommunications networks.
• Consumers can verify device approval by dialing *315# or using the NCC's online portal.

The new framework aims to prevent additional non-compliant devices from entering the telecommunications ecosystem, safeguarding network integrity and consumer interests.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated a new verification system designed to combat the proliferation of counterfeit, cloned, and unapproved telecommunications devices within the country's mobile networks. This significant development was announced by Edoyemi Ogoh, the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, during a media briefing held in Abuja. The commission revealed that it has already registered an estimated 231 million devices currently operating across Nigeria, a process that required no action from existing subscribers.

Ogoh clarified that while devices already connected to Nigerian networks before the full operationalization of this new system have been automatically captured, any newly introduced devices must now successfully meet the commission's stringent verification requirements. This proactive measure ensures that only compliant equipment gains access to the telecommunications infrastructure. Importantly, the NCC has stated that previously connected devices, even those that might not align with current approval standards, will not be retrospectively disconnected, a decision made to protect consumers who acquired these devices without access to verification tools.

This new initiative, known as the NCC Device Checker and Type Approval Compliance framework Nigeria, is a direct outcome of the Type Approval Business Rules introduced in August 2024, following extensive consultations with various industry stakeholders. The regulatory foundation for this framework is firmly established in Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which mandates that all telecommunications equipment must secure regulatory approval before being sold or utilized within Nigeria. This legal provision underpins the commission's authority to implement such a comprehensive verification system.

To ensure the effectiveness of this framework, the Nigerian Communications Commission is actively collaborating with key entities, including the Nigeria Customs Service, device manufacturers, importers, and dealers. This multi-stakeholder approach aims to authenticate imported devices at the point of entry, preventing non-compliant products from reaching the market. The system is designed to identify crucial details such as the importer, the date of importation, and the quantity of specific devices, thereby bolstering enforcement capabilities against suppliers of counterfeit goods and ensuring market integrity.

The primary objectives of the NCC's new verification system extend to strengthening consumer protection, enhancing the overall quality of network services, and enabling regulators to meticulously track devices imported and sold throughout the nation. Counterfeit devices pose a significant threat to network performance; faulty equipment can interfere with existing telecommunications infrastructure, leading to degraded service quality for other subscribers sharing the same cell site. The commission's assessments have identified device-related issues as a contributing factor to network problems, alongside other challenges like infrastructure deficits, insecurity, and environmental factors.

For consumers, the NCC has provided a straightforward method for device verification. Nigerians are advised to dial *315# or visit the NCC's dedicated Device Checker portal to confirm the approval status of their phones, tablets, modems, and other SIM-enabled devices. Should a subscriber purchase an unverified device, they are encouraged to first contact their seller for a replacement. Unresolved complaints can then be escalated through the commission's toll-free 315 helpline. Addressing potential concerns about privacy, Director Ogoh explicitly stated that the verification system is not a surveillance tool and does not provide the regulator with access to personal information stored on devices, instead relying solely on device identification data. The new framework aims to prevent additional non-compliant devices from entering the telecommunications ecosystem, safeguarding network integrity and consumer interests.

Lawyers advising telecommunications device manufacturers, importers, and dealers in Nigeria must ensure their clients comply with the new NCC Device Checker and Type Approval Compliance framework to avoid market access restrictions and potential enforcement actions, particularly regarding new devices entering the market. Compliance officers should update their import and sales processes to reflect these new verification requirements.

Source: Reporting based on a recent NCC media briefing.