NCC warns against illegal use of GSM boosters

As part of measures targeted at improving quality of telecommunications service in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned individuals against the use Global System of Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) boosters in the country.

NCC claimed that the use of GSM boosters is causing interference in the discharge of good telephony services by individuals and businesses in the country.

According to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, yesterday, individuals desirous of using the GSM boosters should note that they can only do that in conjunction with licensed network operators.

Danbatta, in a public notice, uploaded on the commission’s website, described GSM boosters as devices that transmit and receive telecommunications signals and can therefore, interfere with other radio frequency equipment.

He said for the avoidance of doubt, wilful interference with any wireless telegraphy is an offence under Section 16 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 2004.

“The Commission will not condone any flagrant breach of this law”, he stressed.

Accordingly, he said mechanisms have been put in place for monitoring “and anyone caught using the GSM booster without obtaining approval of a duly licensed network operator will face arrest and prosecution.”

Recall that there had been complaints across the country about the downturn in service quality, which saw NCC taking steps in order to ensure improved quality of service delivery to the over 150 million telecoms subscribers in the country.

Four years ago, it developed Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which set some thresholds in service delivery for telecoms operators.

Accordingly, following the coming into force of the KPIs, telecoms operators have had to be fined by the regulator on several occasions for their inability to meet the thresholds set for them on quality of service delivery.

While NCC moves against illegal use of equipment contributing to poor telephony service, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, has urged the commission to help in addressing other teething industry challenges impinging on quality of service in the country.

According to him: “Cases of multiple taxation and frivolous levies on telecoms company, slow approvals for infrastructure rollout, issue of Right of Ways (RoW), vandalism and non-classification of telecoms infrastructure as critical national security and economic infrastructure are still many challenges that continue to affect the quality of service delivery.”