Telecom
NCC Bans Unsolicited Calls, Messages
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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has NCC has barred mobile number operators from sending out unsolicited text messages to subscribers, according to information obtained from the Legal and Regulatory Services Department regulatory authority.
Consequently, network operators in the country have up till June 30, 2016 to stop sending unsolicited Short Message Service or calls to subscribers or face a N5 million fine if they failed to comply with the directive.
A further N500, 000 per day also awaits the operators for as long as the contravention persists.
The document, which was obtained on Sunday, showed that a total of 13 MNOs were issued with the directive. They include: MTN, Airtel, Smile, Etisalat, Globacom and Visafone.
Others are Starcomms, Megatech Engineering Limited, Gicell Wireless Limited, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel, Multilinks and Natcom.
They were asked to set up the shortcode of 2442 for subscribers to opt-in to the “Do Not Disturb” (DND) database restricting unsolicited marketing messages.
According to the commission, it shall be mandatory for mobile operators to create sufficient awareness to its subscribers on the existence of the DND on their networks; that they shall also comply with the quarterly and reporting template prescribed by the NCC to ensure feedback and compliance.
NCC warned operators that generated SMS shall comply with the 8am to 8pm stipulation (12 hour period) for sending SMS to subscribers and that the opt-in process shall be free.
It said operated generated SMS is excluded from the DND list in as much as such messages are in conformity with NCC’s directive on timing and regularity and do not constitute a nuisance to subscribers and the subscribers shall have right to partial or full DND implementation.
NCC said the ‘New Direction’ issued pursuant to Section 53 of the Nigerian Communications Act follows the inundation of complaints by subscribers to its office about menace of unsolicited text messages and voice calls from mobile operators which have impacted negatively on consumer quality service in the telecom industry.
NCC said it was aware through its monitoring activities that some operators have set up DND facility on their network but the awareness by subscribers of the facility is very minimal and unsatisfactory. The menace of unsolicited texts and calls led NCC a fortnight ago to regulate the Value Added Services (VAS) market with the issuance of draft regulation.
Telecom
ATCON Warns of Nationwide Telecom Blackout over Diesel Shortage
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Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
Telecom
Globacom Continues Upgrade of Network Infrastructure Across Nigeria
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Foremost telecommunications company, Globacom, says it has continued the upgrade of its network facilities across the country in its determination to achieve network efficiency and service excellence.
The humongous operation was initiated last year and involves a comprehensive upgrade of existing infrastructure and the rollout of new base transceiver stations to ensure high-speed data and enhanced voice services for its growing customer base.
In the light of the recent increase in telecom tariffs, Globacom said it remained committed to building a world-class telecommunications infrastructure while maintaining competitive pricing for its voice and data services.
Said Glo, ” the network upgrade encompasses a wide range of enhancements, including nationwide rollout of new sites and upgrade of existing ones, core network upgrade, access network upgrade, transmission and IP network upgrade and fiber network expansion. It also includes access and backbone infrastructure upgrade, passive equipment expansion, including power and environmental upgrades”.
Globacom has successfully deployed hundreds of new sites in recent months in key locations across the country, including Lagos, Ogun, Nasarawa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, and Abuja.
This upgrade aims to expand network capacity, provide enhanced voice and data services, and alleviate congestion in high-traffic areas.
It has equally integrated hundreds of LTE 2600 sites in key markets, including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Kwara, as well as in select tertiary institutions.
This enhancement aims to provide high-speed data services and prevent network congestion.
The company has equally created additional data network capacity and carried out enhancements across 1,700 sites in various states including Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau States in tandem with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration initiative.
This upgrade will improve data throughput, network quality, and coverage, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.
Globacom disclosed that it has also added hundreds of 2G, 3G and 4G base stations to boost coverage and enhance capacity demand across the country. In order to support these expansion projects, the company has upgraded its Glo1 submarine cable capacity to ensure maximum utilization.
“This upgrade will provide seamless access to ultra-high-speed services, ensuring a unique calling and browsing experience on the Glo network at all times”, Glo assured.
In the same vein, the data solutions provider has begun a massive nationwide drive to upgrade its power and fiber infrastructure, deploying thousands of new generators and replacing thousands of kilometers of old fiber routes while laying new ones.
This initiative aims to create redundancy for better network availability and enhance overall customer experience.
Telecom
OnePipe Launches PaywithAccount: Revolutionizing Payment Collections in Nigeria
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For many Nigerian small business owners, cash flow isn’t just a challenge—it’s a constant battle. Whether it’s schools struggling with delayed tuition payments, logistics firms dealing with inconsistent driver remittances, or cooperatives managing member contributions, the process of collecting payments remains inefficient, unpredictable, and time-consuming.
A study by PwC revealed that 48% of Nigerian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have experienced delayed payments due to different reasons, with 33% of affected businesses reporting severe consequences.
Traditional systems often involve manual invoicing, repeated follow-ups, and high transaction fees, leaving business owners with less time to focus on growing their operations.
In response to this challenge, OnePipe has launched PaywithAccount, a direct-from-account payment solution that helps businesses automate and simplify collections, reducing delays and improving cash flow predictability. With PaywithAccount, businesses can collect payments directly from customer bank accounts—securely and automatically—without the need for cards, manual reminders, or complex reconciliations.
For entrepreneurs across Nigeria, the ability to receive payments on time means the difference between survival and growth. “As a school owner, I want to focus on my students, not spend hours tracking unpaid fees,” said Mrs. Olumide Ashade, Founder of King’s Court School in Lagos.
“Many of our parents pay in installments, but managing these payments manually has been stressful.
“A solution like PaywithAccount means we can offer flexibility to parents while keeping our finances in order.”
“Reliable repayment is the backbone of growth for lenders. At Lendsqr, we understand that payment delays are a significant problem for lenders”, said Adedeji Olowe, Founder, Lendsqr.
“We have helped many of our lenders transition from debit cards to PaywithAccount which reliably ensures loan repayments are on schedule.”
“At NIBSS, our core vision is to empower the financial ecosystem to innovate within the framework of interoperability, ease of connectivity, collaboration, and cost-optimization,” said Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, Executive Director of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS).
“PaywithAccount is another heartening example of what happens when industry players leverage these guardrails to enhance the overall quality of our nation’s digital payment system.”
For Ope Adeoye, CEO of OnePipe, this is a commitment to empowering Nigerian businesses. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but too many struggle simply because getting paid is a challenge,” said Adeoye.
“We believe financial technology should remove obstacles, not create them.
“PaywithAccount helps businesses worry less about collections so they can focus on what truly matters—growth, innovation, and serving their customers.”
With PaywithAccount, small businesses across Nigeria can now eliminate the stress of late payments, automate their collections, and take full control of their financial future.
For more information about PaywithAccount, visit www.onepipe.io or call 02013438444.
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