NCC tasks consumers on protection of telecoms infrastructure

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has underscored that consumers have a major role to play in complementing efforts being put in place to ensure protection of telecommunications infrastructure.

The organisation gave the charge at a sensitisation programme it put together at Wannune, Tarka Local Council of Benue State, stating that “this is important to sustain and improve on the quality of service delivery by the service providers.”

The commission, in a statement at the weekend, submitted that aside the role of the law enforcement agencies in protecting telecoms infrastructure, the subscribers, who are the ultimate users, have an obligation to protect the installations in their domains.

The infrastructure, according to the NCC, include Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), underground fibre optic cables and associated equipment.

Addressing the audience, Director, Zonal Operations, NCC, Amina Shehu, decried vandalism of telecoms infrastructure that often results in poor quality of service delivery.

Her words: “One of the major challenges to quality of service that operators provide to you, is vandalism of telecoms infrastructure such as BTS. Others are theft, hostility from some host communities, which have continued to pose a major setback to the industry. Therefore, it is imperative for the public to regard telecoms facilities as collectively owned infrastructure that are crucial and essential for the provision of efficient and acceptable telecoms services. The more reason these facilities need to be adequately protected.”

While imploring the indigenes to ensure that they protect telecom installations in their community, Shehu, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Zonal Operations, Abubakar Usman, pleaded with consumers to always alert law enforcement agencies close to them once they suspect any act of vandalism, theft or other suspicious activities directed at telecoms infrastructure.

She underlined the centrality of telecommunications sector to the economy, informing the gathering that in the last 15 years, telecoms has been a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Shehu addressed the misinformation about Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF) radiation emanating from telecommunications infrastructure, which she asserted, was not harmful, according to studies conducted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

During the event, participants were also enlightened on the illegality of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, imperatives of proper SIM registration, importance of National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage. The consumers were also informed about facilities provided by the commission, which they can use to improve their telecoms experience and quality of life in general. These include the NCC’s toll-free number (622), the 112 National Emergency Number and the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 short code for managing cases of unsolicited text messages.

The Paramount Ruler of Wannune, Chief Gandeorun Orokaa, lauded the commission for educating his people on sensitive consumer-related issues, as well as correcting wrong notions and clarifying misconceptions.

He also called on the indigenes to support NCC in protecting telecoms infrastructure to ensure that quality of service improves in their area.