Telecom
Telcos to Begin another Round of SIM Disconnection March 31
After barring over 40 million phones lines for failure of the owners to link their National Identity Numbers (NINs) to their SIM cards, telecommunications operators are reportedly planning to begin the second phase disconnection on March 31.
The disconnection of 42 million SIM cards in five days, followed directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed the disconnection of 42 million SIM cards in an interview with Thisday.
According to him, the disconnected 42 million SIM cards were registered before 2022 to devices such as Mifi and Tablets, but the subscribers who registered the SIMs, failed to submit their NIN for those registered SIMs.
He however said the second phase of SIM card disconnection, which would begin March 31, would be focused on subscribers who submitted their NIN but the name on the NIN did not correspond with the names on the multiple SIM cards that are linked to the NIN.
He told Thisday, that “All SIM cards without NIN have been disconnected, and it took us five days to disconnect 42 million of such SIM cards, according to the regulatory directive from NCC.
“We expect affected subscribers to provide their NIN, verify it with their SIM registration records, in order to get their SIM cards re-connected. This is the first phase of disconnection.
“The second phase disconnection, which will begin March 31, will be focused on those that submitted their NIN, but the name on the NIN did not match with the names on the multiple SIM cards that are already attached to the NIN,” Adebayo said.
He explained that telecoms operators have commenced sensitising subscribes by sending them messages to verify their NIN-SIM linkage before March 31, to avoid disconnection.
Giving further explanation on the number of SIM cards that have been re-connected, after the 42 million disconnected SIM cards, Adebayo said telecoms operators had commenced the immediate reconnection of SIM cards of those subscribers that had submitted their NINs, and had them linked and verified.
He however said he would not be able to give the exact number of re-connected SIM cards, until audit report has been submitted to the NCC.
He called on telecoms subscribers that received messages for NIN-SIM verification, to quickly ensure the verification is done before March 31.
Since the commencement of SIM card disconnection on February 28, as directed by the NCC, millions of subscribers whose SIM cards were disconnected, have not been able make or receive calls.
NCC, had last December given orders to telecoms operators to commence full barring of all unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards on their networks that had not been linked to the NIN of the SIM card holder.
Telecom
QNET Named ‘Direct Selling Company of the Year’ at AfriTECH 4.0 Awards
QNET, a leading global lifestyle and wellness direct selling company, has been honored with the prestigious “Direct Selling Company of the Year” award at the recent AfriTECH 4.0 Conference and Awards.
This recognition underscores QNET’s significant contributions to financial inclusion and e-commerce in Africa.
The award was presented to QNET by Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTech & ATAEx Awards. Onwuegbuchi commended QNET for its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth across the continent.
He highlighted the company’s innovative approach to direct selling, coupled with its focus on financial literacy and digital innovation.
Biram Fall, Regional Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
He emphasized QNET’s dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in Africa.
Fall highlighted the company’s impact on the Nigerian economy, particularly through its advanced technology and robust e-commerce platform.
“QNET’s participation in this event further solidified its position as a key player in the region’s digital transformation journey.
“We are committed to staying in Nigeria, our biggest market in Sub-Saharan Africa, and contributing to the region’s development,” Fall stated.
During his keynote speech, Fall underscored QNET’s commitment to empowering individuals through knowledge and skill development.
He highlighted the FinGreen financial literacy program, which has already trained over 1,350 young people in Nigeria to make informed financial decisions.
Fall also emphasized the potential of direct selling to drive economic growth in Africa. “Our e-commerce-driven direct-selling model provides opportunities for income generation across more than 100 countries, helping individuals pursue their goals while contributing to community growth,” he explained.
Addressing the challenges of limited banking infrastructure and cash dependency in Africa, Fall stressed the importance of financial inclusion for e-commerce growth.
He called for collaboration to accelerate financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in Africa, fostering a financially inclusive future for the continent.
Telecom
Martin Ekpeke Honored with Digital Reporting Excellence Award @ATAEx
Martin Ekpeke, Managing Editor of ITPulse, a leading Nigerian online Information and Communications Technology (ICT) news platform, was awarded the prestigious Digital Reporting Excellence Award at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards.
The award, presented by Tech Castle Foundation, recognizes Ekpeke’s exceptional coverage of cyber threats, digital privacy, and the evolving online security landscape.
“We are thrilled to honor Martin Ekpeke with the Digital Reporting Excellence Award.
“His insightful reporting has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical digital issues and empowering individuals and organizations to stay informed and protected,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi from Tech Castle Foundation.
Ekpeke expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive this award.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire ITPulse team.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality, informative content that empowers our readers to navigate the complex digital world.”
The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, and institutions driving digital transformation in Africa.
This year’s event brought together tech enthusiasts, regulators, and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.
Telecom
NCC Calls on Judiciary to Champion Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital transformation. During the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the judiciary’s reliance on digital tools to enhance justice delivery.
He stressed the need for special protections for telecommunication infrastructure, which faces disruptions from vandalism, theft, and restricted access.
Maida called for judicial support to implement the Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
This order prohibits unauthorized actions against such infrastructure without a lawful court order.
The judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights, enforcing digital contracts, and developing digital jurisprudence is vital for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to the telecommunications sector.
She highlighted concerns such as cybersecurity risks, consumer data protection, and the need for improved dispute resolution frameworks within the digital economy.
The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the technical expertise required to address emerging legal challenges in telecommunications.
Nigeria’s digital economy has significant growth potential, with projected revenues of $18.30 billion by 2026, expected to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and promote innovation.
The NCC is working with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the Presidential Order and to keep Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy.
- Telecom3 days ago
AfriTECH 4.0 Holds in Lagos Today
- E-Financial3 days ago
Kekere-Ekun, CJN Blames Reliance on Telecom Services for Online Banking Glitches
- E-Financial2 days ago
9PSB Promotes Financial Literacy @ World’s Savings Day 2024
- E-Business2 days ago
inq. Nigeria Celebrates Double Win at Tech Innovation Awards (TIA) 2024
- Telecom3 days ago
Telcos Scale Down on Network Investments to Reduce Forex Losses
- E-Financial3 days ago
US Elections: Trump Wins! What Does this Mean for Nigeria?
- E-Financial3 days ago
Ecobank Serves Customers Notice of Planned Service Disruption
- Telecom2 days ago
NCC Calls on Judiciary to Champion Nigeria’s Digital Transformation