NCC Rolls Out New System to Check Fake Phones
By Patience Ikpeme
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun rolling out a new technology system to tighten checks on SIM-enabled devices sold and used in Nigeria, the regulator said on Wednesday.
The system, called the Device Management System (DMS), is a central, automated platform that will support the Commission’s new approach to checking devices. It is meant to allow the NCC to electronically check whether devices meet the required technical and regulatory standards before they enter the market.
“By establishing a central registry of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of devices in Nigeria, the Commission will be better positioned to ensure effective and efficient compliance with its Type Approval requirements,” said Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC.
He added, “With the deployment of this system, all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into the country must be registered before they are sold. Devices that are not duly registered will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian networks.”
This move is based on Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which says that licensed service providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers must get Type Approval from the Commission before any communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
The NCC released Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024, which gave the legal basis for a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), and the DMS is now putting this register into action.
The Commission said the DMS will improve oversight of devices in the country, make networks work better, and make it easier to spot devices that do not meet standards or were brought into the country illegally. It will also allow the Commission to block devices that have been reported stolen, so they cannot be used on any Nigerian mobile network.
“The implementation of the DMS supports the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s communications device ecosystem by improving compliance with applicable technical and regulatory standards, enhancing network performance, facilitating the identification of non-compliant devices, and strengthening consumer confidence in devices sold and used in Nigeria,” the NCC stated.
The NCC has started the first phase of the rollout, which focuses on registering devices already in the market and making sure future imports are registered and checked. The Commission is working with the Nigeria Customs Service, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), importers and market associations to find and stop non-compliant devices before they reach buyers.
Engr. Ogoh said that talks with stakeholders and market studies helped shape how the DMS was designed and rolled out. He assured the public that the platform only deals with device identification information: “It maintains device identification information, including IMEI numbers, and does not provide the Commission with access to the content of users’ devices, nor does it enable the Commission to monitor personal communications.”
People in the industry said the system could reduce the market for substandard devices and protect genuine manufacturers and retailers, but they warned there could be some challenges along the way. Importers and retailers will need to register their devices ahead of time and adjust how their supply chains work to avoid disruptions. Customs officials will also need new ways of checking devices at the point of entry.
Analysts expect the DMS to improve consumer confidence and network quality if the rollout goes smoothly. However, they warn that how well it works will depend on proper coordination between the NCC, Customs, OEMs and telecom operators, as well as making sure small retailers and everyday consumers can easily register their devices.
The NCC did not give a detailed public timetable for the next phases of the rollout but said the current phase is focused on capturing devices already in stock and tightening controls on future imports.
