Bako Wakil, Director, Technical Standard and Network Integrity, NCC, has stated that, the Commission engages in Type Approval licensing, in order to ensure that, manufacturers and dealers, adhere, strictly, to local and international standards, with a view to guaranteeing the safety of consumers, when they are using telecom gadgets and devices.
He disclosed this, in his welcome address and opening remarks, which was delivered on his behalf, by Tony Ikemefuna, Assistant Director, Technical Standards and Integrity, NCC, at the 2nd Type Approval Sensitisation workshop, held at Dover Hotel, Aromire, off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, on, Thursday, January 30, 2020.
“The main objective of the type approval is, to ensure that, communication equipment, intended for use, in Nigeria, meet our local standards and also, meet international standards, as it relates to electro-magnetic radiations, electro-magnetic compatibility and specific absorption rates, for human safety and other regulatory key performance indicators, KPI;s, for better quality of service”, Bako stressed.
Bako further stated that, Equipment Type Approval is, one of the key regulatory functions that the Commission is saddled with.
“The Nigerian Communications Act, (NCA), 2003, Section 132, empowers the Commission, to carry out Type Approval, of all communication equipment for use, in the Nigerian market”, Bako explained.
Section 132(2), of the Act states that, “Licensed services of facility providers. Equipment manufacturers, or, suppliers, shall obtain type approval certificates from the Commission, in respect of their Communications equipment, or, facilities, prior to installation, or, sale in Nigeria”.
In his paper presentation at the sensitisation, titled, ‘Explanation of Type Approval Application Process’, Engr. Chukwuma E. Nwaiwu, Principal Manager, Tech Technical Standards and Integrity, NCC, who is, also, the Head, Wireless Network, gave five objectives, of Type Approval.
These include to protect public telecommunications networks; to ensure the safety of public, from dangerous equipment; frequency spectrum optimization; to ensure compatibility and inter-operability of the equipment, connected to the national networks; to facilitate Quality of Service, etc.
He went on to state the kinds of equipment types that needs approval, how to package and complete the application for approval, the various types of approval, among other things.
Engr. Nwaiwu, ended his presentation, by stating the penalty for using, or, selling equipment that, are not type approved, which is, the payment of N100,000 fine, or, one-year imprisonment, or, both.
Mrs. Tolulase Omodele-Rufai, Principal Manager, Lagos Zonal Office, NCC, in her own presentation, spoke on the two categories of type approval licenses that, could be obtained from the Commission, as well as the requirements for obtaining category of licenses.
In his own presentation, Engr. Dr. Fidelis Onah, on, ‘Effects of Counterfeit Devices’, gave some of the adverse effects of not obtaining licenses for type approval equipment.
Some of these include, the fact that, people have suffered debilitating injuries and even, death; the fact that people have lost properties to fire, caused by counterfeit; lack of products satisfaction; interference; and loss of capital investment, etc.
Engr. Onah, went further to state the impact of fake devices such as, on the spectrum, power, voltage leakages, interfaces, bugs, execution algorithms, for Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, etc.
During the question and answer session at the sensitization workshop, it was universally agreed that there should be collaboration between the stakeholders and NCC, with a view to reporting errant members of the community, who go about selling sub-standard products, or, do not obtain the required type approval, for the equipment they are selling to the consumers. This will, ensure the weeding out of these errant businessmen and keep the consumers safe.
The type approval sensitisation workshop was attended by stakeholders in the telecom industry and the members of the press.
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L-R: Ifeanyi Akukwe, President, Phone & Allied Products Dealers Association, Computer Village, Ikeja, Engr. Dr, Onah, Engr. Tony Ikemefuna, Assistant Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, NCC, who represented Engr. Bako Wakil, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, NCC,Engr. Kenneth Uzoekwe, Asistant Director and Head Assignment Spectrum Administration, NCC, Engr. Chukwuma Nwaiwu, Principal Manager, Technical Standards and Network Integrity and Head of Wireless, NCC and Mrs. Tolulase Omodele-Rufai, Principal Manager, Lagos Zonal Office, NCC, at the 2nd Type Approval Sensitisation Workshop, which held at Dover Hotel, Aromire Street, Off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, January 30, 2020.
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