Telecom operators in Nigeria have been given till June 30 to end unsolicited calls and messages to subscribers or face a fine of N5 Million if they refuse to adhere to the edict.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) made this known recently and also added that failure to comply would also attract a daily fine of N500, 000 for as long as it continues.
In order to give users an opportunity to choose whether or not they want to receive such ‘unsolicited call and or texts’, the NCC has mandated that all Network providers set up a ‘2442’ short code that will enable subscribers opt into a “Do Not Disturb (DND)” database restricting unsolicited calls and messages.
The regulatory body has also ordered that sending messages to the DND short code be free and that each telecom operator must make users adequately aware of the availability and purpose of the DNDs short code.
I guess we can all heave a sigh of relief. The days of running towards your phone only to hear the sound of a machine on the other end of the line are soon to be gone – for good. That’s not to mention the many irrelevant text messages offering nothing you’re interested in. Good riddance in deed.
