The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the temporary
suspension of the Do-Not-Disturb facility on mobile networks.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the
regulatory commission said that it suspended the DND to enable mobile operators
to disseminate information on the 2019 General Elections which begins on
February 16.
The DND enable subscribers to choose what kind of text messages they can
receive from operators or even opt out completely from receiving unsolicited
text messages from mobile operators.
The commission explained that the suspension was
necessary to enable Mobile Network Operators to disseminate specific
information on voter education on behalf of the Independent National Electoral
Commission.
According to NCC, in implementing the suspension, MNOs are to be mindful
of existing directives regarding the timing and regularity of such messages and
the fact that the temporary suspension is only with regards to the specific
messages on voters’ education.
The NCC had issued Guidance to all MNOs and Value
Added Service Providers to the effect that:
“MNOs should ensure that their facilities are not used
to disseminate political or religious contents which are abusive, insulting,
intimidating and harassing, and/or which incite violence, hatred or
discrimination against any person or group of persons.
“MNOs shall provide service to participants in the
political process, only to the extent that their licence and the regulatory
process permits.
“MNOs shall maintain the principle of neutrality in
all their dealings regarding all the political process
“MNOs shall at all times seek and obtain the approval
of the Commission at all times.”
The commission also expressed its readiness to
strictly monitor the activities of the MNOs for the duration of the temporary
suspension.
0 comments:
Post a Comment