ALTON maintains that it aligns itself with the position of the UN which holds that the rights of people offline must also be protected online.
Commercial banks and mobile network providers have started charging customers a flat rate of N6.98 per transaction every time they use the USSD.
The NCC recommends intensifying awareness campaign to educate subscribers on the need to switch off data when not in use.
This move is part of the NCC’s ‘Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration,’ ordered by Mr Pantami with President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval.
The report also ranked the nature of the complaints, putting issues about billings, quality of service/experience for voice.
The federal government suspended the registration of new SIMs in December 2020 but lifted the ban with effect from April 19.
Pre-registering a SIM card is an offence punishable under relevant regulations in the telecom sector and constitutes a breach of national security.
The group noted that a one-month extension of the exercise would not be sufficient to capture the over 200 million subscribers in the country.
Telecoms companies want to withdraw USSD services due to the N42 billion accumulated debt owed by banks.
The order came in the wake of serious public health concerns, following a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.
