Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the body charged with the responsibility of regulating telecommunications services and facilities, promoting competition and setting performance standards for the telecoms industry in Nigeria has updated the list on the authorised and regulated phones to be used in Nigeria.
The list of approved phones by the commission which as of April was 2,112 has been increased by 43 new brands bringing the total to 2155 approved phones in Nigeria.
In a statement by the head of the commission, Umar Garba, he asked Nigerians to patronise only the approved phones and be wary of using phones that are not approved by the body as they are counterfeit phones.
He noted that the spread of counterfeit and substandard phones had gone and it requires collaboration with other government agencies to educate and enlighten consumers.
“Cases of influx and patronage of counterfeit handsets are more rampant in developing countries such as Nigeria where importers bring in substandard phones without recourse to the regulatory type-approval process aimed at certifying such devices as fit for the market.
“The menace of counterfeit and substandard handsets has assumed a global dimension and requires a lot of education on the part of the consumers and collaboration with other government agencies to address it”, he said.
Following the arrest of one Yahaya Ado of Gezewa Communications Limited for selling counterfeit Gionee devices, the body has promised to give a very harsh sanction and punishment to marketers who sell unauthorised and counterfeit phones to Nigerians.
