DMS: NCC accelerates type approval compliance for SIM-enabled devices

*The Nigerian Communications Commission restates its commitment to strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of its Type Approval requirements for enhanced efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness in determining Type Approval compliance of SIM-enabled devices across the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it is strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of its Type Approval requirements through a technology-enabled framework.

ConsumerConnect reports the NCC said the regulatory measures were in furtherance of its mandate to ensure that communications devices imported, sold, and used in the West African country meet applicable technical and regulatory standards.

Core objectives of Device Management System

The Commission also explained the telecoms regulatory initiative is intended to make Type Approval compliance more efficient, consistent, and effective by enabling the Commission to electronically determine Type Approval compliance of SIM-enabled devices in the country’s telecoms ecosystem.

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The NCC stated that the Device Management System (DMS) would serve as the technology platform supporting this automated compliance framework.

According to the telecoms sector regulator, this effort will enable the telecoms sector regulatory Commission to improve oversight of the device ecosystem in Nigeria.

What NCA 2003 provision on Type Approval in telecoms ecosystem

Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, who noted this in a recent statement shared on the Commission’s corporate Web site, said under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, “licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers are required to obtain Type Approval from the Commission before communications equipment may be sold or used in Nigeria.”

The Commission affirmed the implementation of the DMS supports its efforts at strengthening the integrity of communications device ecosystem.

Thus, the NCC stated would improve compliance with applicable technical and regulatory standards, enhance network performance, facilitate the identification of non-compliant devices, and strengthen consumer confidence in devices sold and used in the country.

Ukoha disclosed the Commission has commenced the first phase of implementing the automated Type Approval compliance framework, and is working closely with critical industry stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers and relevant market associations.

The statement further noted: “This phase focuses on onboarding existing devices currently held in stock and ensuring that devices imported into the country, going forward, are appropriately registered and authenticated, providing the Commission with a more effective mechanism for identifying non-compliant and illegally imported devices before they enter widespread use.”

On establishment of Central Equipment Identity Register

Speaking on the rollout of the framework, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity of the Commission, said the Type Approval Business Rules issued August 2024 provided the regulatory framework for the establishment of a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).

Engr. Ogoh affirmed the CEIR maintains “a registry of SIM-enabled communications devices” in Nigeria.

He also stated: “Following the issuance of the Rules, the Commission commenced extensive stakeholder engagements and market studies, which informed the eventual design and deployment of the system.

“By establishing a central registry of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of devices in Nigeria, the Commission will be better positioned to ensure effective and efficient compliance with its Type Approval requirements and to ensure that devices imported into, sold and used in Nigeria meet the applicable standards.”

The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity also explained: “With the deployment of this system, all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into the country must be registered before they are sold.

“Devices that are not duly registered will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian networks.”

Ogoh noted: “Beyond improving Type Approval compliance, the technology will help address some of the wider challenges associated with the device market.

“Illegally imported and non-compliant devices will be easier to identify, while devices reported stolen can be blocked from use across Nigerian mobile networks.”

He, therefore, assured telecoms consumers, and the general public that the platform is designed solely to support device identification and Type Approval compliance in Nigeria.

The NCC as well stated the platform “maintains device identification information”, including IMEI numbers, and does not provide the Commission with access to the content of users’ devices, nor does it enable the industry regulator to monitor personal communications.