Nations are presently grappling with the impact of COVID-19, including the fact that young people are compelled to spend more time at home which implies more screen time (offline and online). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has brought to bear a shift in the norms,putting more activities, including education of children, online. This has leapfrogged Nigerian children into the future. Online activities have acquired new meaning and become the reality of Nigerian parents and children. Screen time and screen activities are the new normal. Parents are constantly searching for online learning platforms, TV stations are providing more child-based educational content and schools are teaching via Zoom, Google Classroom and YouTube. Cyberspace, the internet and online activities are here to stay.
Data Rollover is one of the consumer-centric initiatives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) put in place to protect the consumers and ensure they have value for their money. Data Rollover is simply a process that allows service providers to add consumer’s unused data from one billing cycle to the next billing cycle instead of losing the data entirely.
This implies that if a consumer has a monthly data plan of 2.5GB and uses only 1GB during the billing cycle, the remaining 1.5GB will be added or rolled over into the next month’s billing cycle, giving the consumer 4GB (remaining 1.5GB + 2.5 GB monthly plan). This can also be possible if the renewal of data plan is within the approved stipulated timeframe by the NCC.
What is Telecom Infrastructure? Telecom Infrastructure essentially connotes physical assets designed for telecommunications networks that connect and link cities, towns, highways in countries to ensure seamless telecom services.
Telecom infrastructure has been identified as an important Critical National Asset and it comprises base transceiver stations (BTS) telephone wires, fibers, cables (including submarine cables), satellites, microwaves, and mobile technology such as fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks.
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NCC DIRECTION ON DO-NOT-DISTURB
Pursuant to Section 53 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003: That Service Providers shall on or before June 30, 2016 dedicate the short code 2442 on their networks to enable consumers opt into the do not disturb database to restrict receiving unsolicited messages (Voice & SMS)- Text STOP to 2442 for FULL DND
- Text HELP to 2442 for Partial DND. This brings a menu of options.
- Text STATUS to 2442 to enable you confirm if your line on the DND Database as Full or Partial.
Television White Space (TVWS) refers to the part of the broadcasting spectrum that is not being used by incumbent broadcast services at particular times and in certain geographic areas, which can be used for the provision of wireless broadband services.
It is similar to Wi-Fi, but with expanded coverage that exceeds traditional Wi-Fi.
As telecom consumer, what you want at all times is the delivery of qualitative and efficient service services on your mobile networks. But beyond paying for and getting services from the networks, there are expectations from your as telecoms consumers, bordering on the role you should voluntarily play, in collaboration with the NCC and law enforcement agencies, in protecting the that critical telecom infrastructure in your community or area that delivers the services to you.
What is Data Depletion?
Generally, data depletion happens as a result of data usage or consumption. Data depletion has a negative connotation with respect to data usage or consumption by a consumer on his or her phone that is connected to a mobile network.The term presupposes that a telecoms consumer experiences early, faster, sharp and suspicious depletion on his or her subscribed data compared to what he or she naturally believes should be a moderate reduction in data bundle as a result of usage on his or her device.
Have you ever imagined experiencing internet speed on your current 4G network times 10 at some point in future? Have you thought about having all your television, your door, your refrigerator and other home appliances being controlled by a single mobile phone on your palm?
Welcome to the world of 5G network, which is an advancement on the current 4G network being used in Nigerians. The 5G network is no longer a future technology, as it is being perceived in some quarters, but rather a technology urgently needed in every economy today because of its high efficiency.
An "App", in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) world, is an abbreviation for "Application." An app is a type of software that can be installed and run on smart devices to allow you perform specific task. It provides a simple way to access content and services through smart devices using the internet.Mobile apps are application for mobile devices. Apps have become the principal way through which users tap into the smartphone revolution. There are millions of apps on both the Apple Store and Android app stores (Google Play Store) which can be downloaded and installed on smart phones.
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What is a Counterfeit Phone?
A counterfeit phone is one that, without permission, bears a trademark that is identical or indistinguishable from a registered phone manufacturer. Greater demand for mobile phones has resulted in a rise in counterfeit phones, batteries and accessories. Counterfeit mobile devices are therefore very cheap and have contributed to teledensity in the country.
In addition to the Consumer Bill of Rights, telecoms service providers in Nigeria are obliged under the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations (CCPR), 2007 to do the following for their subscribers and/or consumers:
- Provide information on products and services that is complete, accurate, and up-to-date in simple and clear language.
- Ensure timely response to requests for information on products and services, and such information must be provided free of charge.
- Provide consumers with billing rates and terms and conditions for all services on offer to the public. The information must be in both electronic and print format and must be available on the operator's website and all retail outlets.
- Communicate promptly any change in tariff rates and conditions for services communicated to consumers.
- On request, service providers must make available to consumers a contract or agreement for provision of services, which must be written in simple and plain language. 4