The DoNotDisturb (DND) service is one of the most impactful consumer protection tool introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) to address the persistent challenges of unsolicited messages and promotional communications in the telecom industry. It gives telecom consumers full control over the types of SMS alerts and marketing messages they receive on their mobile devices.
1. What is the DND Service?
The DND service is a service designed by the NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) to protect Nigerian telecom consumers from unsolicited text messages. The service gives consumers the freedom to choose what messages they want to receive from various Service Providers when they activate the DND on their phone lines at no additional cost.
How to Use the DND Service
Telecom Consumers can activate or deactivate the DND service using the common short code 2442 across all networks.
i. To Activate Full DND
- Text STOP to 2442 to stop all unsolicited SMS & calls. Full DND does not allow the consumer to receive any unsolicited messages.
ii. To Activate Partial DND
- Text HELP to 2442. Partial DND allows the consumer to choose specific types of promotional/commercial communication messages they wish to receive, as follows;
- Text 1 to 2442 to receive Banking/Insurance/Financial Products.
- Text 2 to 2442 to receive Real Estate.
- Text 3 to 2442 to receive Education.
- Text 4 to 2442 to receive Health
- Text 5 to 2442 to receive Consumer Goods & Automobiles.
- Text 6 to 2442 to receive Communication/ Broadcasting/ Entertainment/IT
- Text 7 to 2442 to receive Tourism and Leisure.
- Text 8 to 2442 to receive Sports
- Text 9 to 2442 to receive Religion
- Text 10 to 2442 to receive Information on new products/services from the Service Provider
- Text 11 to 2442 to receive News Alerts
iii. Deactivate DND
Text ALLOW to 2442 to opt out entirely from DND.
iv. Check DND Status
Text STATUS 2442 to check and know your DND Status.
These options are simple, free, and accessible to all types of phones. (both feature phones/smart phones).
Telecom consumers are encouraged to use the service by texting STOP, HELP, ALLOW, or STATUS to 2442, depending on their preferences.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also introduced a unified code, of which *305# is the unified USSD code for Value-Added Services (VAS) across all mobile networks in Nigeria. This code enables consumers manage services that may be activated on their lines. Through this code (*305#), consumers can view their active VAS subscriptions and deactivate or opt out of any VAS they no longer want.
In addition to VAS management, consumers also have the ability to stop unsolicited /promotional messages by activating DoNotDisturb (DND) using the NCC-approved short code 2442.
Together, *305# and DND (2442) give consumers full control over unwanted deductions and unwanted promotional messaging:
- *305# helps stop unwanted charges by allowing consumers to opt out of any active VAS subscriptions.
- DND (2442) helps stop unsolicited/promotional SMS from Service Providers.
By using both tools, this combined approach ensures that consumers maintain complete control over both chargeable services and promotional content, resulting in a better consumer experience.
Note:Value-Added Services (VAS): They arenon-core mobile services offered by telecom operators that go beyond basic voice calls, SMS, and data. These services provide additional features in various forms of content, applications, alerts, entertainment, and interactive platforms delivered through mobile networks to enhance consumer experience