The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that fake and substandard mobile phones can disrupt network quality for other subscribers sharing the same telecommunications infrastructure.

The commission said the devices could interfere with network performance, adding to the challenges operators face in delivering reliable services to millions of Nigerians.

The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, disclosed this at a news conference on the commission’s technical standards and network integrity initiatives in Abuja on Tuesday.

He explained that counterfeit devices do not only affect their owners but could also undermine the quality of service experienced by other subscribers connected to the same cell sites.

“When you are using fake devices, because they are not operating the way a normal device should ordinarily operate, they don’t only impact the user of that fake device, they also impact people around that user,” Ogoh said.

He noted that subscribers in the same area rely on shared cell sites for network coverage, meaning interference caused by a non-compliant device could extend beyond the person using it.

The warning comes as the commission implements an enhanced Type Approval Compliance framework to identify counterfeit, cloned and other non-compliant communications devices in the Nigerian market.

Ogoh said the initiative would complement existing measures to improve telecommunications service quality by addressing problems originating from the devices subscribers use to access networks.

He acknowledged that poor network performance could arise from several factors, including fibre-optic cable cuts, insecurity, flooding, disputes with landlords and conflicts with host communities.

However, he said the contribution of faulty devices to service quality problems made it necessary to strengthen regulatory oversight of phones and other SIM-enabled equipment.

“The commission actually looked at issues around quality of service. We found out that there are also quality of service issues attributable to the devices themselves,” he said.

The enhanced framework would allow the NCC to verify devices electronically and establish whether they meet the technical standards required for use on Nigerian telecommunications networks.

Under the type approval regime, manufacturers and suppliers must obtain the commission’s approval before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria, in line with Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The commission said device models must undergo laboratory testing to establish compliance with applicable standards before suppliers can import them. The new verification system would strengthen oversight by helping the regulator identify individual devices and trace them to their importers.

Ogoh said this would also enable the commission to investigate consumer complaints and take enforcement action against businesses responsible for supplying non-compliant products.

“We know who brought in that device. We know when that device was brought in. We know how many units on that device were brought in,” he said.

The NCC said it had registered about 231 million devices before the enhanced compliance framework commenced, assuring subscribers that phones already in use would not be blocked simply because of the new verification requirements.

“The approach we have taken from NCC is that those devices will continue to work. We are not blacklisting those that have come up before this,” Ogoh said.

He explained that consumers who had purchased and were using their phones before the implementation began did not need to take any action. The framework would focus on strengthening verification for devices entering the market under the new arrangements.

The commission is also collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and market associations to improve checks on imported devices and reduce the circulation of counterfeit products.

Ogoh urged Nigerians to verify a phone’s compliance status before paying for it, particularly when buying from unfamiliar sellers or considering unusually cheap products.

He advised consumers to check the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number printed on a phone’s packaging before purchase. Buyers can also retrieve the number by dialling *#06# on the device.

Consumers can then dial *315# and follow the prompts to check the phone’s verification status. Owners of dual-SIM phones should check both IMEI numbers.

The director said the process would help buyers avoid paying for devices that do not meet the required standards or deliver the quality they expect.

Consumers who encounter verification problems or disputes with sellers can contact the commission through its 315 support channel for assistance. The NCC said it could investigate complaints and take regulatory action where businesses failed to comply with the requirements.

Earlier, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, described telecommunications as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy and said public understanding would be essential to implementing the new requirements without unnecessary disruption.

The commission said it would continue engaging stakeholders and raising public awareness as it strengthens device compliance, consumer protection and network integrity.