NCC plans technology solution to block call masking

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar  Danbatta, has said that the commission is in the process of choosing the best from a list of technology solutions used in other countries to block call masking/refiling. He added that the technology solution would help track and apprehend culprits. […]

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar  Danbatta, has said that the commission is in the process of choosing the best from a list of technology solutions used in other countries to block call masking/refiling.

He added that the technology solution would help track and apprehend culprits.

Danbatta spoke through the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, during the commission’s 99th edition of consumer outreach programme in Ilorin, the Kwara State.

The theme of the outreach was given as ‘Using information and education as tools for consumer empowerment and protection’.

He also said the commission was working on the issuance of direction to mobile number operators to explore every technical means not to allow their networks to be used for call masking and Subscriber Identity Module boxing activities.

He said, “With respect to call masking/refiling, the commission is working seriously to abate menace of this ugly development including deployment of appropriate technology as a strategy to combat it.

“The NCC has embarked on continuous process of compliance, monitoring and enforcement activities to detect victims of call masking and investigate channels used to commit the illegality.

“We are also tightening SIM registration processes across all networks to reduce the availability of SIMs for SIM-boxing as well as addressing the security issues around the availability of pre-registered or fraudulently registered SIMs.”

The Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said it was the responsibility of service providers to communicate information to consumers in a plain and simple language and ensure that information provided to consumers was relevant, current and accurate.