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  • Telcos Finally Block Twitter Following FG’s Order

    Telcos Finally Block Twitter Following FG’s Order

     

    Telecoms operators in Nigeria have blocked Twitter in Nigeria, a day after the Federal government announced its indefinite suspension.

     

    Twitter users in the country woke up on Saturday unable to access the microblogging websites while some navigated the hurdle using Virtual Private Networks (VPN).

     

    The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), an industry group, confirmed it had received directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator, to suspend access to Twitter.

     

    The President of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

     

    Mr Adebayo noted that the association wished to confirm that its members had received formal instructions from NCC, the industry regulator, to suspend access to Twitter.

     

    “ALTON has also conducted a robust assessment of the request in accordance with internationally accepted principles.

     

    “Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates; our members have acted in compliance with the directives of NCC, the industry regulator.

     

    “We will continue to engage all relevant authorities and stakeholders and will act as may be further directed by the NCC, ” Mr Adebayo said.

     

    He said the association remains committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens.

     

    He, however, said as an industry, ALTON endorsed the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online.

     

    He noted that this included respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications.

     

     

    Civil War Tweet

     

    The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter in the country.

     

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,

    announced the suspension in a statement issued by his office in Abuja.

     

    He cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are “capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

     

    The Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.

     

    The government had announced the suspension barely 48 hours after the microblogging site deleted a post by Mr Buhari referencing the country’s civil war, and threatening to treat those attacking government buildings “with the language they understand.”

     

    His comments received condemnation from Nigerians.

     

     

     

    -‘Repressive action’ –

     

    Amnesty International on Friday condemned the move, calling on Nigeria to “immediately reverse the unlawful suspension”.

     

    “This repressive action is a clear attempt to censor dissent & stifle the civic space,” Human Rights Watch researcher Anietie Ewang said.

     

    Twitter said that the move was “deeply concerning”.

     

    “We’re investigating and will provide updates when we know more,” the company said in a statement.

     

    The UK’s deputy high commissioner in Nigeria, Gill Atkinson in reaction to the suspension said “any action taken by government must be measured, proportionate and not suppress basic freedoms.”

     

    Nigeria in 2019 had announced it would tighten regulations on social media to fight fake news and disinformation, sparking concerns over freedom of expression.

     

    Several countries including China and Turkey have come under fire for putting restrictions on social media platforms such as Twitter.

     

    In February Twitter condemned Myanmar for blocking access to its platform as part of a crackdown on social media, days after a coup that saw Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders jailed.

     

  • N42bn Debt: Telcos To Shutdown Banks’ USSD Services From Monday

    N42bn Debt: Telcos To Shutdown Banks’ USSD Services From Monday

     

    The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON has said telcos will disconnect Financial Service Providers from Unstructured Supplementary Service Data services from March 15 until they pay their over N42bn debt.

     

    The association announced this in a statement titled ‘Withdrawal of USSD services to financial service providers due to huge indebtedness to telecom network operators’.

     

    The statement was signed by ALTON and Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and Head of Operations, Gbolahan Awonuga.

     

    ALTON explained that the service withdrawal had become necessary due to the lack of agreement on a payment structure with the banks that did not involve the end-user being asked to pay.

     

    It noted that following the issuance of the USSD pricing determination by the Nigerian Communications Commission which resulted in a price review of USSD service by the telcos, the banks decided that they would no longer pay for USSD service delivered to their customers and requested the telcos to charge customers directly for use of the USSD channel.

     

    The telcos complained that the banks, however, provided no assurances that such service fees charged to customers’ bank accounts for access to bank services through the USSD channel would be discontinued post implementation of end-user billing by the telcos.

     

    The statement said, “It has been more than eight months since the NCC issued an updated pricing methodology for USSD services for financial transactions in Nigeria.

     

    “The methodology explicitly restricts Mobile Network Operators from charging the end user for the services and mandates the banking sector to enter into negotiations to settle outstanding obligations and agree individual pricing mechanisms to be applied going forwards

     

    “During this time, MNOs have continued to provide access to USSD infrastructure and our members have continued to pay all bank charges and fees to access the banking industries assets and customers, despite the fact that obligations due from banks to telecoms companies for USSD services has reached over N42bn.”

     

    The telecom operators said this was in consideration of millions of Nigerians who had become more reliant on accessing financial services through the USSD infrastructure due to COVID movement restrictions.

     

    They noted that due to the inability of the banks to agree on a payment structure, the government had been forced to intervene to ensure a sustainable cost-sharing solution was agreed that did not disadvantage the consumer in the long-term.

     

    The association said the removal of the service fees by the FSPs would have meant that if bank customers were charged only the USSD costs communicated by telcos per USSD session, bank customers would be paying far less than what they were currently being charged by the FSPs, which in some instances were as high as N50.

     

    They added that both the banks and telcos would be applauded for collaborating towards the financial inclusion objectives of the Federal Government.

     

    ALTON said, “We deeply regret that we have reached a point where the withdrawal of these services has become unavoidable. However, we remain committed to working closely with the relevant ministries and regulators to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

     

    “To minimise the disruption to customers, and with the concurrence of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission on the huge debt to network operators; MNOs will disconnect debtor FSPs from USSD services until the huge debt is paid.

     

    “Therefore, our members are initiating a phased process of withdrawal of USSD services, starting with the most significant debtors within the FSPs effective Monday March 15, 2021.”

     

    They encouraged subscribers to explore alternative channels with their banks.

  • Banks Owe Telcos N42bn For USSD Services, Says NCC

    Banks Owe Telcos N42bn For USSD Services, Says NCC

     

    Deposit Money Banks owe telecommunications companies N42bn for services provided by the mobile network operators through the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, the Nigerian Communications Commission has announced.

     

    Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, announced this during his lecture at the virtual 2021 edition of the Bullion Lecture.

     

    He explained that the indebtedness of the banks to mobile network operators had been an issue over time, but stressed that the NCC was working hard to address the concern.

     

    Danbatta said, “The issue of the USSD has become an issue between the telcos and the banks. The telecommunication companies provide the infrastructure which the banks leverage on to provide banking services of all kinds.

     

    “Therefore it is expected that for this service someone should pay. No service is free. The investment in infrastructure that is driving the USSD service is a huge investment that the telcos made.”

     

    The NCC boss added, “It is expected that they (telcos) will recoup their investments in order to continue and to expand the service. About N42bn that is owed the telcos has not been paid by the banks for the provision of this service.”

     

    Danbatta said the telecommunications firms could not withdraw their services to the banks because such action would not go down well with the Federal Government.

     

    He said, “The telecommunications companies cannot unilaterally withdraw this service because it will be seen as a subversive act, undermining the digital inclusion strategy of the present government.

     

    “And no government will sit back and watch while services that empower citizens are being tampered with or withdrawn. No government will standby and watch this to happen.”

     

    To address the situation, Danbatta said the NCC would soon engage the DMBs and ensure that the matter was resolved.

     

    “So in the next couple of days, we are poised to engage the banks and ensure we reach an amicable resolution where the first item on the agenda that will feature is the payment of this N42bn accumulated debts to the telecommunications companies.

     

    The NCC boss further stated that it was important for the country to meet the critical requirements needed in order to succeed in its drive towards digital inclusion in Nigeria.

     

    He said digital financial services were offered through the use of a mobile phone, which many residents in rural areas could not afford.

     

    “They (rural residents) need phones that are affordable and therefore we must direct our resource in a manner that will bring affordable handsets to the rural population,” Danbatta stated.

  • ATCIS Lauds NIMC’s Decision Allowing Telcos Generate NINs, Raises Concerns Over Safety of Subscribers’ Data

    ATCIS Lauds NIMC’s Decision Allowing Telcos Generate NINs, Raises Concerns Over Safety of Subscribers’ Data

    Nigerian telephone subscribers have lauded the decision of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC to license telecommunications companies to register people who do not have National Identity Numbers.

    According to the subscribers, the decision would no doubt go a long way in reducing the large crowds that normally throng the NIMC offices on daily basis.

    Speaking with Business Bells on Wednesday, the National President of Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), Prince Sina Bilesanmi said the gesture was a welcome development as it is long overdue.

    “I consider it good news that the NIMC has given the mobile network operators, MNO licences. I believe it would help in reducing the crowds as well the risk of people contracting COVID-19 especially against the manner in which Minister of Communications and Digital Economy (Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has exposed our people in this period of pandemic.

    “This is part of what we have been clamouring for that the NIN registration should be suspended considering the situation we are in whereby people are expected to strictly observe social distancing, but unfortunately the bid to beat the NIN registration deadline has made people to throw caution into the winds,” Bilesanmi submitted.

    The Business Bells reported on Wednesday that the Director-General, NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, announced that some other private and public organisations had also been licensed by the commission to provide NINs in order to address the crowds at commission’s offices.

    Responding to an enquiry as regards measures taken by NIMC with respect to complains by citizens and the crowds at the commission’s offices, Aziz said mobile network operators had been empowered to also give the identity numbers.

    “We have licensed private and public sector organisations including telcos (telecommunications companies) so as to create more centres,” he stated.

     

    Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS),

    However, while subscribers believe that with telecommunications firms set to be issuing out NINs, it would reduce the stress on NIMC staff nationwide, they have on the other hand raised another important poser about the safety of their personal data.

    According to the ATCIS President, Prince Bilesanmi, the federal government should compel the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to ensure that personal data of subscribers are safe with its members ( telecom operators).

    “Now that the government has decided to allow telecom operators and other private organisations to provide the NIN for Nigerians, we at ATCIS are saying that it is a good decision and we support it. But the question we need to ask is; how safe are the data being provided by subscribers?

    “We are raising this poser because there had been reported cases in the past whereby telcos staff connive with fraudsters by selling off their data to them for fraudulent activities.

    “ALTON should assure us that subscribers’ data are safe with its members,” he said.

    Basically, ensuring that the NINs issued to individuals are protected and kept safe from fraudsters cannot be over-emphasized as the NIN-SIM linkage is primarily for security purposes.

    Government believes that harmonising all phone numbers through the NIN will help curb rising cases of terrorism and banditry because most of the bad guys would have no option but to link their phone lines to the NIN or lose their numbers.

    This, government said, will definitely help to curtail and checkmate the lingering security challenges in some parts of the country.

    Speaking on the importance of ongoing NIN-SIM linkage, Pantami, had warned Nigerians to secure and protect their NINs, urging subscribers to desist from selling their NINs or allowing others to use their NINs for registration.

    “For any act committed with the SIM, good or bad, it will be officially traced and attached to the NIN owner,” the Minister warned.

    On December 15, 2020, the Federal Government had declared that after December 30, 2020, all SIMs that were not registered with valid NINs on the network of telecommunications companies would be blocked.

    It later extended the December 30, 2020 deadline following widespread opposition against the earlier announcement and gave three weeks’ extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30, 2020 to January 19, 2021.

    It also gave six weeks’ extension for subscribers without NIN from December 30, 2020 to February 9, 2021, but many organisations had called for further deadline extension or outright suspension of the NIN registration process due to the large crowds who had yet to have their NINs.

    To be part of ATCIS, please visit:

    www.atcisnigeria.com

    Email: atcisnigeria@gmail.com

    Instagram: atcisnigeria

    Twitter: @atcis9ja

    Facebook: atcisnigeria

    P.O Box: 8356, Marina

    Call ATCIS: 07052713300.