Telecoms:NCC Introduces 315# Code to Check Approved Phones, Curb Fake Devices

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced the USSD code *315# to enable consumers to check the approval status of SIM-enabled devices as part of efforts to curb the circulation of fake, cloned and non-compliant communication equipment in Nigeria.

The initiative is part of the Commission’s enhanced type approval compliance framework, designed to ensure that devices sold and used in the country meet established technical and regulatory standards.

The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Engr. Edoyemi Ogor, disclosed this in his speech at a media engagement on the implementation of the framework. Ogor said the initiative would strengthen consumer protection, improve network performance and enhance confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry by facilitating the identification of devices that do not comply with applicable standards.

He urged Nigerians to verify the approval status of their devices before purchase, advising consumers buying mobile phones, tablets, modems, point-of-sale (POS) terminals and other SIM-enabled equipment to ask sellers whether the products had received NCC type approval and independently check their status using *315#.

According to him, the framework represents an important step in strengthening regulatory oversight of communication devices and ensuring that equipment connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks meets the required standards.

He explained that type approval was a statutory requirement under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which mandates the Commission to ensure that communication equipment intended for use in Nigeria complies with applicable technical and regulatory requirements.Citing Section 132(2) of the Act, Ogor said licensed service providers, facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers were required to obtain type approval from the Commission before communication equipment could be sold or used in Nigeria.

He said the enhanced compliance framework would facilitate electronic verification of devices and provide a more effective mechanism for identifying non-compliant equipment and preventing it from connecting to telecommunications networks.

Ogor added that devices already in stock had been appropriately onboarded into the framework, while newly imported devices would be verified and authenticated to strengthen oversight of the device market. He noted that the initiative followed extensive stakeholder engagements, market studies and consultations conducted after the issuance of the Type Approval Business Rules in August 2024.

According to him, the consultations involved original equipment manufacturers, importers, dealers, telecommunications service providers, government agencies and industry associations.

The Commission, he said, was also collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders across the device value chain to improve compliance and ensure that legitimate businesses operated in a fair and transparent environment.

NCC dismisses surveillance concerns

Ogor also allayed concerns over privacy, insisting that the type approval compliance framework was strictly designed for device identification and regulatory purposes and would not enable the Commission to monitor users’ personal communications. He explained that the framework would maintain device identification information, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, to facilitate regulatory verification.

According to him, the initiative would not give the Commission access to the contents of users’ devices, including photographs, messages, contacts, financial information or other personal data. He stressed that the framework was not a surveillance tool and would not enable the Commission to monitor private communications, adding that consumer privacy would remain protected in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

Ogor said transparency remained central to the implementation process, assuring that the Commission would sustain public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement to ensure Nigerians understood the objectives of the initiative and their responsibilities.

Non-compliant devices pose network challengesThe NCC director noted that the reliability of telecommunications services depended not only on network infrastructure but also on the quality, safety and technical compliance of devices connected to the networks. He said non-compliant devices could undermine network performance, complicate regulatory oversight and expose consumers to avoidable risks.

Ogor maintained that strengthening type approval compliance would improve the integrity of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem, protect consumers and promote confidence in devices available in the market.

He called on consumers, manufacturers, dealers, telecommunications operators, government agencies and market associations to support the implementation of the framework. He also urged the media to promote public awareness through accurate reporting and informed analysis, noting that consumer understanding was critical to the success of the initiative.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to build a safer, more reliable and trusted telecommunications environment in Nigeria.