Use quality phones not counterfeit. NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has blamed the perennial poor quality of service in the country on use of counterfeit mobile devices.
The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta, disclosed this Wednesday at
the NCC Day celebration held at the ongoing 10th Abuja International Trade Fair.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to avoid the use of counterfeit mobile devices since they contribute in distorting quality of service from network providers.
He explained that the Commission had commenced move with the Nigeria Customs Service and Standard Organisation of Nigeria to checkmate further importation of the substandard devices into the country and warned against their patronage.
He assured that the Commission has initiated move to monitor operators and improve quality of service in the industry for the benefit of the consumers.
As part of efforts to achieve this goal, he said a Task Force has been inaugurated to identify and recommend appropriate lasting solutions to poor quality service being complained by consumers of telecommunications.
He however, advised Nigerians to regularly visit the website of the Commission to avail themselves with the list of approved devices before making a purchase.
In another development, the Commission says the Nigeria’s active GSM line has risen to 151 million.
According to Danbatta, as at August this year, Nigeria recorded 151 million active lines in the country, with a teledensity of 107 percent internet penetration, which is up to 88 million as at Wednesday.
Also on quality of service, he said: ” NCC has advised the service providers to install on their network anti-spam devices that will filter genuine calls and bar the unwanted ones,’’ assuring that very soon there will be significant reduction in the level of unsolicited messages, stating that over 90 percent of complaints by subscribers have so far been addressed.
“NCC has the prime mandate to protect the interest of telecom users and to give timely information, educate them for effective service delivery.