By Emmanuel Enitan
Telecommunications device importers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), dealers and other stakeholders have raised concerns over the October 6 deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the onboarding of existing mobile devices on its Device Management System (DMS).
The stakeholders, while supporting the objectives of the DMS, said the revised timeline could prove inadequate for businesses to complete the registration of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of devices already in stock, calling for a phased implementation and clearer guidelines on outstanding issues.
The NCC had initially set September 7 as the deadline for stakeholders to upload the IMEI numbers of devices already held in stock. However, the commission subsequently extended the deadline to October 6 following concerns from stakeholders, including businesses that had not completed the process because they lacked the required NCC licences or certifications.
The DMS is being introduced as a technology-enabled framework for strengthening regulatory oversight of SIM-enabled devices in Nigeria. It will enable the NCC to electronically determine the Type Approval compliance status of devices and is also expected to help tackle counterfeit and stolen phones, cloned IMEI numbers and other illegal devices.
According to the NCC, the system is designed to improve compliance with technical standards, enhance network performance and strengthen the integrity of the country’s communications device ecosystem.
However, industry players said several operational and commercial questions remained unresolved ahead of the October deadline.
One of the major concerns is the duration of the onboarding window, with stakeholders arguing that importers and dealers require more time to complete registration and upload large volumes of IMEI numbers.
They also raised concerns over the absence of a clearly defined appeal process for devices flagged because of legally damaged IMEIs, particularly where the damage resulted from software faults or repairs.
Stakeholders further questioned the potential economic implications of the new requirements for importers, distributors and consumers, particularly for shipments already in transit when the DMS requirements take effect.
According to industry stakeholders, additional costs arising from compliance could ultimately be transmitted through the device supply chain to consumers.
The issue of small and micro-importers has also emerged as a concern. Stakeholders want clarity on whether smaller businesses importing limited quantities of devices will be able to meet the same licensing and registration requirements applicable to larger operators without being pushed out of the formal market.
Another area of concern is the second-hand and refurbished device market, where repairs, ownership transfers or replacement of device components could affect IMEI authentication.
The stakeholders said the NCC needs to provide clearer guidelines on how legitimate refurbished devices and repaired phones would be treated under the new system.
They also questioned the readiness of the DMS platform to handle large-scale onboarding and registration once the system becomes fully operational.
A demonstration of the system during stakeholder engagement was reportedly affected by a technical glitch, which the NCC attributed to an ongoing system update. The development raised questions among participants about the capacity of the platform to handle the volume of devices expected to be registered.
For the device industry, the concerns have raised the prospect of higher compliance costs and possible disruptions to the supply chain if unresolved issues are not addressed before the system becomes fully operational.
Stakeholders have therefore called for a phased approach that would allow businesses sufficient time to comply while enabling the regulator to identify and resolve technical problems before nationwide enforcement.
“The initiative is commendable. However, the commission needs to ensure it is phased, timed and executed efficiently. Right now, there are too many grey areas and a timeline that is impractical, and those are challenges that should be addressed,” stakeholders said.
The NCC, however, has maintained that the DMS is necessary to strengthen control over communications devices imported, sold and used in Nigeria.
The commission’s framework is based on IMEI numbers, which it says will help identify cloned or duplicated devices, curb the counterfeit phone market, facilitate the blocking or tracing of stolen devices and protect consumers.
Under the proposed framework, the system is also expected to provide a central repository for registered mobile devices and support efforts to combat cybercrime and other security threats.
The regulatory drive is based partly on Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which requires equipment manufacturers, suppliers and relevant service providers to obtain Type Approval from the NCC before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
The October 6 deadline has therefore become a critical date for device businesses as the commission moves to tighten compliance across the telecommunications device market.
While stakeholders acknowledge the potential benefits of the DMS in tackling counterfeit devices, theft and illegal imports, they are urging the NCC to resolve the technical, licensing and commercial uncertainties before full implementation to avoid unintended consequences for legitimate businesses and consumers.
