Telecom
Telcos Risk Sanctions over Unsolicited Calls, SMSes
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday warned telecoms operators to desist from sending subscribers unsolicited text messages or risk severe sanctions, saying they have June 30, 2016 as deadline for total compliance.
Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of NCC, who gave the warning at the 77th Edition of Telecoms Consumer Parliament in Abuja, said following the general complaints of subscribers over unsolicited text messages, that the Commission issued a directive to telecoms operators to dedicate a short code 2442, on their networks for use by subscribers to opt-in to “Do- NOT-DISTURB” database to register their numbers against unsolicited text messages.
Danbatta warned that non-compliance to this directive by the operators would attract sanctions.
It would be recalled that on March 8,2016, Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, held a meeting with Chief Executive Officers of telecoms operators in his office in Abuja where he sounded a note of warning to them to desist from sending unsolicited text messages through their networks, or face sanctions.
Shittu also told them to stop from under-declaring their revenue and profit, as this criminal act short-changes the government in its revenue generation.
He said his office has been inundated with complaints, petitions and calls on the fraudulent and un-authorised charges by telecoms operators in the country.
Shittu warned that their fraudulent activities against subscribers must stop forthwith or “severe sanctions will be imposed on any operators that violate the directive.”
According to him, “Many Nigerians have been complaining of un-authorised charges or deduction for unsubscribed /unsolicited messages by all telecoms operators.
“Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) will properly monitor telecoms operators and prevent them from dubious charges for services not rendered and provides regular updates on monthly basis.
“Any operator found wanting going forward will be severely sanctioned.
“It has also come to my notice that the telecom operators do not fully declare to the government their total annual gross revenue, thereby short-changing the government in under-paid taxes and levies.
“The Federal Government will take advantage of new technologies to verify the amount of revenue generated by the telecom operators via government regulatory and revenue agencies like NCC, FIRS, among others.”
The minister who enumerated other infractions such as extortion of subscribers, incessant dropped calls on all networks, dead or silent calls, deficiency in data penetration, as some of the areas the telecoms operators have been short-changing Nigerians over the years.
However, Independent has observed that these infractions and other fraudulent activities perpetrated by telecom operators in Nigeria have continued unabated.
Many analysts have called on NCC, as the telecoms regulator to wake up to its statutory responsibilities, which over the years, it has failed to perform.
Commenting on the rational for Telecom Consumer Parliament [TCP], the NCC boss said it was borne out of the need for telecom industry players meet and exchange ideas on salient issues affecting consumers of telecom services in the country.
He said the issues raised in the TCP, have continued to shape the regulatory policies of the Commission and have led to the enactment of several regulations that benefited consumers and enriched the industry.
Nigeria’s telecom operators recorded 155, 397 fibre-cut incidents between April and May 2026, and these they blame on why internet or calls suddenly stop working.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed fibre-cut incidents increased from 74 276 in April to a record 79 121 in May, bringing the two-month total to the highest level recorded by the industry.
This represents a 2 428% increase from the 5 934 incidents reported during the first quarter of 2026.
Vandalism remained the leading cause of fibre cuts, accounting for more than 54 000 incidents despite telecom infrastructure being designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, a classification intended to strengthen protection of key digital assets.
Also road construction constantly damages fiber where iggers and machines tear up buried cables during road repairs or construction.
Even with all these, some state governments make it hard for companies to fix cables quickly across different areas with all manners of fees and levies.
The NCC designation provides for penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for offenders, but operators continue to face widespread infrastructure damage.
Proposed solutions, including Nigeria’s Dig-Once policy and AI-powered fibre sensing technologies, have yet to achieve widespread adoption.
The NCC is developing a cost-based framework for shared underground duct infrastructure, while operators are exploring AI-powered fibre sensing technologies that can detect cable damage in real time and improve network resilience.
Nigeria is pursuing ambitious broadband targets under its National Broadband Plan and has expanded fibre deployment to about 35 000 kilometres.
However, infrastructure protection has not kept pace with network expansion, leaving subscribers vulnerable to unreliable connectivity despite continued operator investment.
Standard Bank has partnered with Helios Towers to provide a $29 million Social Documentary Credit Facility. According to the financial services company, this transaction marks Standard Bank’s first Documentary Credit Facility structured in a Sustainable Finance format.
It notes that the facility will support the procurement and importation of telecommunications infrastructure and related services across Africa.
It will also provide payment certainty to suppliers, while supporting Helios Towers’ working capital requirements and infrastructure expansion programme, the bank adds.
Structured in accordance with the Loan Market Association’s Social Loan Principles, the financing is designed to promote digital connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure development in underserved markets.
This will help Helios Towers further expand its footprint and enhance mobile network coverage and connectivity across the continent.
Helios Towers operates one of Africa’s independent telecommunications tower platforms, enabling mobile network operators to extend coverage across multiple markets.
Standard Bank notes that the facility supports the expansion of tower infrastructure and services, increased network densification and improved connectivity in underserved markets and remote regions across the African continent.
It will also drive digital inclusion and tackle the digital divide while supporting economic growth and socio-economic development.
“This transaction demonstrates the power of innovation in trade finance. By combining a first-to-market Social Documentary Credit Facility with a cross-border funding solution, Standard Bank has supported Helios Towers’ growth ambitions while helping extend digital connectivity to underserved communities across Africa,” says Benoit Samouilhan, global transaction banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking.
According to the bank, this facility enables positive social impact by increasing and improving network coverage and connectivity in some of the world’s most remote regions.
“Reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to Africa’s future growth and development,” says Alex Carter, group finance director at Helios Towers.
“This facility provides us with the flexibility and certainty needed to support our ongoing infrastructure investments while advancing our mission of expanding connectivity across the continent. We value our longstanding relationship with Standard Bank and look forward to building on this partnership.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will on Thursday convene a stakeholders’ consultative forum to review the draft business rules for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria.
NCC
The forum, scheduled to hold at 10 a.m. at the NCC Annex Office, Mbora, Abuja, is expected to bring together telecommunications operators, industry associations and other stakeholders to provide input on the proposed regulatory framework before its finalisation.
The commission announced the event on its official social media platforms, inviting interested stakeholders to participate in the consultation process.
The engagement is part of the NCC’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for MVNO operations and promote greater competition, innovation and consumer choice in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are telecommunications service providers that offer mobile services by leasing network capacity from licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), rather than owning spectrum licences or telecommunications infrastructure.
The NCC has identified the MVNO licensing framework as one of its initiatives aimed at deepening competition, expanding access to telecommunications services and driving digital inclusion across the country.
The consultative forum is expected to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review the draft business rules, make recommendations and contribute to the development of a robust operational framework for the emerging MVNO segment.
The commission is expected to issue further details on the outcome of the consultation after the meeting.
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