BY Mayowa Tijani
Have you been receiving unsolicited text messages (short message service) on your phone? The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is about to rescue you.
NCC directed all service providers to, from July 1, 2016, activate the “DO NOT DISTURB” facility which gives subscribers the freedom to choose what messages to receive from the various networks.
With this direction the operators have been mandated to dedicate a common short code (2442) which will enable subscribers take informed decisions.
In a statement by Tony Ojobo, director of public affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the action was taken in order to protect subscribers from the nuisance of unsolicited texts, and therefore a direct regulatory response to the yearnings of the subscribers.
By this action, he explained, the commission has invoked a regulatory provision which had hitherto been overlooked by the operators.
“Taking cognizance of the broad range of services which include: banking/insurance/ financial products, real estate, education, health, consumer goods and automobiles, communication/ broadcasting/ entertainment/ it, tourism and leisure, sports, religion (Christianity, Islam, others), the commission directed the operators to give the necessary instructions and clarifications that will enable subscribers subscribe to a particular service/services /none at all,” Ojobo said.
“In fact, a Full DND which is SMS “STOP” to 2442 does not allow the subscriber to receive any unsolicited message from the operators at all.”
Below are the various options:
Ojobo added that the decision of the commission does not affect personal messages or person to person messages which are private communication by individuals.
He urged the operators to comply immediately with the direction issued by the commission and never again harass subscribers with unwanted messages.
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