Subscribers not to submit IMEI, we’ll rather deploy DMS – NCC
TECH DIGEST – The Nigerian Communications Commission has come out to state that telecommunications subscribers are not required to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of their phones.
A statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs at the Commission, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, hinted that NCC is rather deploying Device Management System (DMS) to protect subscribers against phone theft and checkmate fake devices in the system.
This statement came on the heels of news that subscribers are required to submit the IMEI of their phones within three months. This drew criticism from Nigerians on social media.
Reacting to the news, the NCC spokesman said, “Subscribers are not required to submit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number”
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“At no time did the Commission issue a Statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers and it has no plans to do so”.
However, NCC didn’t deny the reports in totality as the Commission acknowledged that “The reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the Commission’s website.
“It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS). The DMS will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks.
“The system will capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit same.
“The general public is advised to disregard the said publications, which have created the erroneous impression that telephone subscribers will be required to register their IMEI with their networks”.
