THE Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, recognises the centrality of the consumer among several stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem and this explains the declaration of 2017 as Year of the Nigerian Telecom Consumer. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman, NCC, who was represented by Helen Obi, head, NCC Zonal Operations, Benue State, stated this recently at the 3rd edition of the consumer conversation organised by the North Central Zonal Operations of the commission.

Obi, who warmly received participants to the forum on behalf of the board, management and staff of NCC, said the declaration of the Year of the Telecom Consumer was derived the 8-point Agenda 2015-2020 of the current leadership of NCC at the heart of which is consumer protection through information, education and advocacy.

Obi also identified key components of the declaration as the Activation of the “Do-Not-Disturb,” DND, Service across all telecom networks. This service enables the consumer to stop receiving unwanted and unsolicited messages from telecom operators. She explained that a consumer is expected to send “STOP” to 2442, if he/she intends to stop receiving all forms of text messages and send HELP to 2442 in order to choose from many thematic options to subscribe to.

The second aspects of the declaration were to encourage consumers to utilise the NCC Toll Free Line 622 to report complaints pertaining to unresolved issues with their Service Providers. There is equally the campaign to educate consumers about electromagnetic fields, EMF, radiation because of the misinformation being bandied about with respect to telecom masts.

Obi told participants that scientific research, including those conducted by WHO never established that exposure to radiation from telecom infrastructure is sufficient to cause harm to humans. Obi, therefore implored telecom consumers at the event “to feel free to participate actively and ask relevant questions that will be beneficial to the commission in its efforts to improve the quality of telecommunications services in Nigeria.”

—  Jul 31, 2017 @ 12:40 GMT