Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced the payment of the Device Registration Fee to facilitate the security of mobile devices that are operational in the country through the Device Management System (DMS).
A device registration fee was introduced by the NCC for the NCC-DMS, separate from existing type approval fees. This fee will be mandatory for all registered devices.
The introduction of the fee is contained in the outline of the new DMS regulation in the ‘Type Approval Business Rule 2024’, which aims to prevent phone theft, curb the use of counterfeit devices, and ensure compliance with established standards.
According to the statement from the Commission: “To mitigate the use of stolen phones for crime, and facilitate blocking or tracing of stolen mobile phones and other smart devices, one of the means to achieve this is through the deployment of Device Management System.”
Aimed at bolstering security and protecting consumers in the country’s mobile device market, the NCC explains that the DMS will serve as a comprehensive Central Equipment Identity Register, creating a unified database for tracking and monitoring mobile devices across all network operators in Nigeria.
All mobile network operators are required to connect to the DMS and mirror network-related policies configured by the NCC, ensuring a uniform approach to device regulation.
This move is expected to significantly improve the security and integrity of Nigeria’s communication networks, protecting consumers and promoting a safer mobile ecosystem.
The statement from the Commission notes that the NCC-DMS acquires the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of all devices latching to the communication network and synchronize with international databases of IMEI repositories.
“NCC-DMS shall maintain a registry of all communication devices available in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the commission noted in the new rule.
The commission’s objective, first announced in 2021, is to enhance transparency, accountability, and national security in the telecommunications sector while ensuring the safe and efficient utilization of Nigeria’s communication infrastructure.
“To curtail the counterfeit mobile phone market, discourage mobile phone theft, enhance national security, protect consumer interest, increase revenue generation for the government, and reduce the rate of kidnapping.
