Info Tech
NCC may review mobile number portability scheme
… Begins compliance monitoring on SIM deactivation
… Defaulting operators risk N200,000 sanction
ABUJA – Ten weeks into the launch of the mobile number portability (MNP) in the country, there are indications that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may review the various technicalities considered to be hindering a faster adoption of the scheme, The Guardian has learnt.
Indeed, MNP, which was launched on April 22 in Nigeria, making the country the 64th nation to adopt it globally, seems not to be recording expected success.
Though the NCC is still silent about the actual figure of subscribers that have switched networks about two months after launch, operators have lamented the traffic lull in the process.
Apart from issues around the process of porting, including the 90-day stay duration on a particular network before any other migration, the 48-hour processing period to port; poor awareness, especially in the hinterlands; need for physical presence before porting; and the preference for dual and multi-SIM mobile devices, seem to be hindering the scheme.
According to an NCC source who spoke with The Guardian, MNP technicalities will be revisited and probably altered for accelerated adoption, “because the scheme is needed in Nigeria.”
Indeed, at a post-event interview in Lagos at the weekend, NCC’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, Josephine Amuwa, confirmed that there may be a review of the MNP rules as being canvassed in different quarters.
Amuwa, who also hinted that any operator found hindering the process would be fined N200,000 per subscriber, noted that MNP is a key facilitator of consumer choice and effective competition in the telecommunications environment.
“The challenge is that people tend to believe that since they can easily buy a SIM, they don’t need to port. That is wrong, because a new SIM brings a new identity and nobody knows you with that, but with porting, you will retain your number on any network. So, what we are saying is that Nigerians should port; they should not go and buy new SIMs because a service provider is not satisfying them. On the technicalities and rules, we have set up a steering committee working on the rules, we meet monthly. At the next meeting, we are going to see based on their recommendations if there is the need to change some of the rules. If they say consumers are not porting because of the rules and technicalities, among others, there are things that can be changed, because they are not cast in stone.
“A defaulting operator risks the sum of N200,000 per subscriber discovered to have been denied porting”, she stated.
In a related development, the commission has started compliance monitoring on the deactivation of unregistered SIMs, and promises separate sanctions on defaulters.
In a letter of July 2, 2013 addressed to the operators, a copy of which was obtained by The Guardian, the NCC stated that subsequent to its April 15, 2013 Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulation 2011 and subsequent shift of deadline to June 30, 2013, the commission wished to inform the operators of no extension.
In the letter, NCC directed all operators to forward to it a summary of the registered and active lines on their networks as of June 30, 2013. It also directed that details of the unregistered and deactivated lines as at deadline date should be forwarded to it, which, according to it, is consistent with section 15(2) of the NCC’s Regulation of Telephone Subscribers Regulations 2011.
The regulator also insisted that the mobile operators must deactivate all unregistered SIM cards on their networks immediately, saying that deactivation in this case, and consistent with section 1 of the NCC’s Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations 2011, means that all unregistered SIM cards are disallowed full access to the networks, including the ability to make and receive calls, to send and receive SMS and other range of services usually provided by the network.
According to the letter signed on behalf of NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman by the Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, U.A.S. Maska, the operators are also mandated to provide a firm confirmation that the unregistered lines have been fully deactivated in line with the provisions of the regulations.
NCC insisted that without prejudice to its requirements and consistent with Regulation 13(4) of its Registration of Telephone Subscribers Registration 2011, all operators are to forward on a weekly basis thereafter, details of the registration of the biometric information and other personal information of new lines registered to the commission for entry into the central database.
“Please note that the commission has commenced compliance monitoring and if any unregistered SIM cards are found to be active on your networks, the commission shall invoke its powers under Regulation 19 and 20 of the Registration of Subscribers Regulations 2011 and impose the maximum fine on your company without recourse to you”, the letter stated.
Meanwhile, while speaking on legal and regulatory issues in MNP at a workshop for judges on legal issues in telecommunications, Amuwa said that the structure of the telecommunications market determines to a large extent the behaviour of the operators and also influences the performance of the market with respect to profitability and efficiency.
According to her, MNP is introduced into the sector in order to deepen the telecommunications market in terms of service delivery, innovations and improvement in the quality of service.
Amuwa listed the determinants of a successful MNP regime to include sound regulatory frame-work; efficiency of the system; simple porting process; an efficient subscriber information database; cost effectiveness; funding and consumer awareness.
At the workshop, the Administrator, National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Umaru Eri, noted that the MNP was chosen as a topic because among other innovations, it would generate some legal issues for determination by the courts in a few days ahead.
In efforts at spicing up the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue, the management of ITREALMS Media has partnered with E-waste Producer Responsibility Organization of Nigeria (EPRON) membership organisations for a day-long collection scheme of small electronic waste on Friday, December 15, 2023.
The EPRON members aligning their partnership with 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue are EL-AS Tech Enterprises Limited and WEEE Eco-Friendly.
ITREALMS’ day-long collection scheme is part of the commemoration of 2023 international E-Waste Day (IEWD) within the ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue with the theme “You Can Recycle Anything with a plug, battery or cable” at Welcome Centre Hotels, International Airport Road, Lagos.
Revealing this collaboration, the Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media, the organisers of the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue, Sir. Remmy Nweke, urged mobile device enthusiasts to come along with their devices that have reached their end-of-life to the venue for proper disposition by professionals who would also be on grounds to address some topical issues.
The collection of small electronic wastes especially mobile phones and like-devices, would be carried out by EPRON member organisation, EL-AS Tech Enterprises Limited as facilitated by ITREALMS Media group as part of this year’s ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue on Friday, December 15, he added.
He disclosed that the exercise would commence at Welcome Centre Hotel by 9am till close of work hours the same day.
Nweke pointed out that the collection of small e-waste items would include mobile phones, pointers mouse, earpieces, rechargeable torches, phone chargers, to name a few.
Further, he said, that this initiative has become time-serving because some people may have missed any other opportunity before now for the year-long campaign, hence this awareness on e-Waste has to be continuous, “ITREALMS came up with this scheme.”
Nweke beckoned on Nigerians, especially mobile phone users, to leverage the opportunity in disposing of their mobile devices they no longer use, of course in exchange for a voucher or gift item.
In her reaction to this year’s day-long small waste collection, EPRON Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Faluyi, described the initiative as commendable, expressing confidence it would intensify the collection of end-of-life devices for proper disposition.
Mrs. Faluyi, also urged Nigerians to take advantage of this day-long collection of small wastes courtesy of ITREALMS Media.
Recalling for instance that in October 2022, EPRON had partnered SLOT alongside some UN agencies for collection of small e-waste items in Lagos, including the United Nations Information Centres (UNIC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
This is even as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida and Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Aliyu Jauro, would both lead speakers at the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue slated for this Friday, December 15, in Lagos.
Today, September 12, the tech corporation Apple will introduce the iPhone 15, their newest iPhone model.
According to a Forbes story, this model, which will be introduced at the company’s “Wanderlust” event in Cupertino, California, will be available in four variations: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Here are five things you should know about the new iPhone 15 model.
1. The new model is made of titaniu, not stainless steel as some other Apple smartphone models, Senior research analyst at DIGITIMES, Luke Lin reports.
2. The Pro Max model will feature double the optical zoom on the iPhone 14 as it comes with a newly-introduced ‘periscope lens upgrade, performing 5-6x optical zoom.’
3. The Pro models will carry an A17 bionic chip expected to make it perform faster.
4. The iPhone 15 model will feature a USB-C charging port, the same port featured on some Android phone models.
5. Due to its titanium shell, the new model is anticipated to be more expensive to purchase. The following is the speculated price list, as reported by Forbes:
The iPhone 15 starts at $799, the iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the iPhone 15 Pro at $1,099 ($100 increase), and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,299 ($200 increase).
In an effort to reduce the exorbitant cost of Premium Motor Spirit, better known as petrol, the Infrastructure Bank Plc announced its collaboration with FEMADEC Group on Monday to offer 500 buses powered by autogas (Compressed Natural Gas).
Partners in the agreement claimed that the project was created to provide citizens with dependable, affordable, and environmentally friendly travel options, taking into account the negative effects of the nationwide increase in PMS costs.
Under Decree No. 51 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1992 Constitution, the Infrastructure Bank, originally known as the Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, was founded in 1992 to promote the quick development of infrastructure throughout the nation.
In a statement issued in Abuja on its partnership with FEMADEC, the bank said, “The preliminary offer extended by TIB lays a solid foundation for the expansion of FEMADEC Group’s CNG bus fleet.
“With plans to introduce 500 CNG buses within the next five years, commencing with an initial batch of 50 buses in the forthcoming year, this proposal stands poised to instigate significant change.
“The acceptance of this proposition by FEMADEC Group, notably championed by Fola Akinnola, the Group Chief Executive Officer, is a testament to their zeal and dedication to this alliance.”
The bank described the partnership as a “pivotal endeavour that is primed to redefine Nigeria’s public transportation landscape, offering dependable, cost-effective, and ecologically conscious travel alternatives for citizens, while harmonising with the nation’s broader sustainability ambitions.”
“This partnership represents a remarkable stride towards a more ecologically aware future for Nigeria’s transportation sector, highlighting the shared commitment of both TIB and FEMADEC Group to sustainable advancement and progress.”
It said FEMADEC Group’s strides in operating Compressed Natural Gas buses, including the existing fleet of 20 CNG buses under LAMATA, underscored their unwavering dedication to ecologically sound solutions, a commitment predating the fuel subsidy removal.
“Their leadership within the CNG value chain is undeniable, and the new alliance with TIB underscores their foresight.
“This partnership seamlessly aligns with TIB’s sustainability objectives, echoing their resolute endorsement of the government’s net-zero and climate change agenda.
“The bank’s aspiration to champion Nigeria’s infrastructure progress is evident in its endorsement of pivotal initiatives like this, yielding expansive positive impacts on both the environment and society,” the bank stated.
The bank added that it would continue to make a significant contribution to the country’s growth as a leading financial institution committed to advancing effective and long-lasting infrastructure projects.
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