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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is finally implementing a long-postponed Device Management System (DMS) that aims to prevent counterfeit, cloned, or stolen phones from accessing the nation’s mobile networks.
DMS, which has been under development for almost ten years, will help in “monitoring, managing, and securing” Nigeria’s telecommunications market, serving 200 million users.
The system is being implemented via a Public-Private Partnership. The goal is to help the NCC in monitoring all mobile devices nationwide using their unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
The launch represents one of the most ambitious efforts to organise Nigeria’s device market, where counterfeit phones and unregistered imports make up a large portion of sales. It also brings up new concerns regarding privacy, cost, and the extent to which regulators can intervene to safeguard users without excluding them from the system they are intended to protect.
Gradual Implementation of Device Management System (DMS)
The NCC stated that the execution of the framework will be a progressive process. “The commission stated in a reply that it is essential to block substandard and counterfeit devices from accessing the networks because of their detrimental effect on service quality and users’ online safety.”
Counterfeit devices continue to pose a significant problem in Nigeria. Some estimates show that close to four out of ten tech products, such as mobile phones, are either counterfeit or of low quality. Economic challenges, such as rising inflation, unemployment, and reduced purchasing power, have made affordable counterfeit phones appealing. This makes many consumers willing to buy them despite the risks they pose to safety and security.
The occurrence of phone theft has become disturbingly frequent. From May 2023 to April 2024, approximately 25.35 million mobile phones were stolen or snatched. This has establised phone theft as the most commonly reported crime in the nation, with a rate of 13.8%. The majority of incidents occur in residences or public areas. Although almost 90% of victims report the theft to the police, only around 11.7% manage to retrieve their devices.
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Taking Action Against Counterfeit Devices
Nigeria’s market for devices is enormous and chaotic. The NCC states that over 132 million different mobile devices were linked to local networks in 2020. Also, approximately 63 million new devices sold each year. However, a large number of these are counterfeit or illegally imported phones that bypass quality inspections and taxes.
Source: Techpolyp.com
The NCC states that the updated DMS will serve as a “central control hub” for all telecom devices. It will allow regulators to detect and turn off any phone that fails to comply with national standards or lacks type approval. Once the system is fully functional, mobile phones identified as stolen or counterfeit will cease to operate. Their IMEI numbers will be banned and cut off from all networks in Nigeria.
“The DMS will incorporate IMEI information into the NCC’s approval procedure. This will ensure that illegal or stolen devices become non-functional,” the Commission stated in a guideline.
National Security Aspect
In addition to reducing counterfeit phones, the DMS also affects national security. Nigeria has faced ongoing challenges with cloned and untraceable phones being used in various crimes, including kidnapping, fraud, and terrorism.
The NCC cautions that counterfeit devices present dangers that extend well beyond specific performance. Certain devices are even equipped with ransomware that can prevent users from accessing their phones or keyloggers that record passwords and confidential data.
“Some of these fake devices have been used by criminal networks, including terrorist groups like Boko Haram,” the NCC said. “A proper device registry allows us to trace phones, prevent data theft, and protect national security interests.”