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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a 14-day pre-enforcement notice to individuals or organisations carrying out unauthorized sales and use of GSM or phone boosters in Nigeria.
A statement by the telecom regulator has asked that “any person involved in the sale, installation and use of the device, to forthwith desist from such act.”
The statement signed by Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, added: “the Commission shall without further recourse and upon expiration of the deadline, commence appropriate enforcement action including, but not limited to prosecution, fine and confiscation of equipment used.”
GSM Boosters cause frequency interference
The regulator has consistently ruled as illegal, unauthorised sale, installation and usage of GSM boosters. In a statement issued in September 2020, the regulator cautioned that “individuals desirous of using GSM Boosters should note that they can only do so in conjunction with licensed network operators.”
The statement further stressed: “GSM Boosters are devices that transmit and receive telecommunications signals and can therefore, interfere with other radio frequency equipment.
“Members of the public should note that, willful interference with any wireless telegraphy is an offence under Section 16 of the Telegraphy Act, 2004. The Commission will not condone any flagrant breach on this law.
“Accordingly, monitoring mechanisms have been put in place and anyone caught using GSM Booster without obtaining approval of a duly licensed network operator will face arrest and prosecution.”
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Worried that its last year’s pronouncement has not been heeded, the regulator said it will assert its enforcement powers by June against offenders.
14-day PRE-ENFORCEMENT NOTICE
Below is its recent statement issued this May:
“The Nigerian Communications Commission informs the general public, particularly banks and other financial institutions, government agencies, telecommunications service providers, private/public companies, and owners/occupiers of residential premises, that the sale, installation and usage of GSM boosters is illegal.
In exercise of its mandate of ensuring the protection of consumers, ensuring good quality of service and maintenance of technical standards of maintenance equipment, and in accordance with the provisions of section 131 (1) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Commission hereby warns the general public that it is a criminal offence to sell, install or use any equipment which may hinder network operations, or which has not been type-approved by the Commission. Such acts may lead to monetary sanction and/or imprisonment, or both (fine and imprisonment) as well as the confiscation of any equipment used in the illegal enhancement of network coverage.
The Commission on its part will continue to deepen its collaborative efforts with telecoms service providers to facilitate the provision of ubiquitous telecoms infrastructure necessary to guarantee good quality of service across the nation.
In view of the above, the Commission hereby gives a 14-day PRE-ENFORCEMENT NOTICE effective from the date of this publication to any person involved in the sale, installation and use of the device, to forthwith desist from such act.
The Commission shall without further recourse and upon expiration of the deadline, commence appropriate enforcement action including, but not limited to prosecution, fine and confiscation of equipment used.
