BREAKING NEWS, Business
–
Telephone subscribers on the Etisalat Nigeria network can now send code 2442 to stop receiving unsolicited calls and text messages on their phones
| By Anayo Ezugwu | Aug 1, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT |
IN compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, that telecom operators should end unsolicited calls and text messages, the Etisalat Nigeria has introduced the ‘Do-not-Disturb,’ DND, facility. The facility will enable customers on Etisalat network to opt-out completely or partially from receiving unsolicited marketing text messages and calls.
As a direct result of this regulator-operator directive, Etisalat has implemented the DND service, which is designed to offer subscribers greater choice in determining the type and frequency of messages they receive on the phones. The DND service can now be activated on the Etisalat network. It is a uniform short code: 2442 which cuts across all the networks in the country.
Subscribers on the Etisalat network can access the DND service by sending ‘STOP’ to 2442. Customers can also request for a partial DND service, which will allow them to receive only a specified class of messages that are of interest to them such as sports, religion, and health among others.
To activate the partial DND service, customers are required to send ‘HELP’ to 2442 to receive information about the available classifications and their activation codes; then send the activation code to 2442 to activate a specific class of messages.
Ikenna Ikeme, director, regulatory and corporate social responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, has also highlighted the company’s record of compliance with other regulatory directives and reaffirmed Etisalat’s commitment to enrich customer experience on its network.
“Our customers remain our priority at Etisalat Nigeria, because we recognise their preferences, not only in terms of the quality of products and services available to them, but also with regard to their experience on our network. Ensuring that the DND service is available on our network is one of the ways in which we continue to enhance our bouquet of services and enrich customer experience on the Etisalat network,” Ikeme said.
According to him, the implementation of the DND service was also intended to encourage mutually responsible operator-customer relationship and sustainability of the telecommunications industry.
The NCC insisted service providers must introduce the DND service as part of its oversight function as a result of complaints from telecoms subscribers who were being disturbed with unsolicited calls and message.
Tony Ojobo, director, public affairs, NCC, had on Sunday, July 3, said the action was taken by the commission to protect subscribers from the pains of unsolicited texts messages, which he described as a direct regulatory response to their yearnings. By this action the commission had invoked a regulatory provision, which had hitherto been overlooked by the operators.
Ojobo said: “Taking cognisance of the broad range of services, which include banking, insurance, financial products, real estate, education and health, the commission directed the operators to give the necessary instructions and clarifications that would enable subscribers to opt for a particular service or none at all. Infact, a full DND, which is the SMS ‘STOP’ to 2442, does not allow the subscriber to receive any unsolicited message from the operators at all.”
He, however, pointed out that the decision of the commission would not affect personal messages, or person-to-person messages. He urged the operators to comply with the directive issued by the commission and to never gain harass subscribers with unwanted messages.
|
Tags:
