Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has strengthened enforcement of its Type Approval regime, with a new technology-enabled framework that will prevent unregistered SIM-enabled devices from operating on Nigerian mobile networks.
The commission said the framework, supported by its Device Management System (DMS), will enable it to electronically verify whether communications devices imported, sold and used in Nigeria have met mandatory Type Approval requirements.
Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, telecommunications service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers are required to obtain Type Approval from the NCC before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
The commission said the new system is designed to improve its oversight of Nigeria’s growing device ecosystem while making it easier to identify non-compliant and illegally imported devices.
The first phase of the implementation has already commenced and focuses on onboarding existing devices held in stock, as well as ensuring that devices imported into Nigeria going forward are properly registered and authenticated.
