Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida.

As part of measures to protect users of mobile phones and other devices in the country against theft and related security risks, the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC has introduced the Device Management System NCC-DMS, which is a tracking infrastructure.

This device is aimed at providing a comprehensive Central Equipment Identity Register CEIR, which will further create a unified database for tracking and monitoring of mobile devices across all network operators in Nigeria.

This new regulation is outlined in the ‘Type Approval Business Rule 2024’ of the Commission and part of its objectives include to prevent the theft of mobile phones and other devices, curtail the use of counterfeit devices, and also ensure compliance with established standards.

According to a statement by the Commission, all mobile network operators are by this regulation required to connect to the DMS and mirror network-related policies configured by the NCC, which will ensure a uniform approach to device regulation.

It was further gathered that part of the objectives of the regulation is to significantly improve the security and integrity of the country’s communication networks, by protecting consumers and promoting a safer mobile ecosystem.

The statement reads in part: “To mitigate the use of stolen phones for crime, and facilitate blocking or tracing of stolen mobile phones and other smart devices, one of the means to achieve this is through the deployment of Device Management System,” the commission said in a statement.

“The commission’s objective, first announced in 2021, is to enhance transparency, accountability, and national security in the telecommunications sector while ensuring the safe and efficient utilisation of Nigeria’s communication infrastructure.

“To curtail the counterfeit mobile phone market, discourage mobile phone theft, enhance national security, protect consumer interest, increase revenue generation for the government, and reduce the rate of kidnapping.

“To this effect, NCC-DMS shall acquire the International Mobile Equipment Identity of all devices latching to the communication network and synchronise with international databases of IMEI repositories.

“NCC-DMS shall maintain a registry of all communication devices available in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the commission noted in the new rule.”

On the cost implication, the Commission said that a device registration fee will be introduced by the NCC for the NCC-DMS, separate from existing type approval fees. This fee will be mandatory for all registered devices.