The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned banks, financial institutions, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government, telecom operators, private and public companies and others informing them the installation and usage of GSM boosters are illegal.
In a pre-enforcement notice signed by the commission’s director of public affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, it said the commission would commence enforcement on the illegal use of GSM boosters on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, and promised to sanction defaulters.
“This is to inform the general public, particularly banks and other financial institutions, government agencies, telecommunication’s service providers, private/public companies, and owners/occupiers of residential premises that the sale, installation and usage of GSM boosters is illegal.
“In exercise of its mandate of ensuring the protection of consumers, ensuring good quality of service and maintenance of technical standards of maintenance equipment, and in accordance with the provisions of section 131 (1) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the commission hereby warns the general public that it is a criminal offence to sell, install or use any equipment which may hinder network operations, or which has not been type-approved by the commission.
“Such acts may lead to monetary sanction and/or imprisonment, or both (fine and imprisonment) as well as the confiscation of any equipment used in the illegal enhancement of network coverage,” it said.
It stated that the commission on its part would continue to deepen its collaborative efforts with telecom’s service providers to facilitate the provision of ubiquitous telecom’s infrastructure necessary to guarantee good quality of service across the nation, adding the commission would without further recourse and upon expiration of the deadline, commence appropriate enforcement action including, but not limited to prosecution, fine and confiscation of equipment used.
