The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians to desist from using second hand and substandard mobile phones, saying such devices pose greater risk to the users.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta gave the advice at the occasion marking NCC special day in the ongoing 37th Kaduna International Trade Fair.
Professor Danbatta represented by Hajia Maryam Bayi debunked insinuation that telecom facilities like masts and towers pose health hazards to residents around such facilities, saying cell phones, pose greater health risks than masts.
While highlighting the numerous roles of NCC towards ensuring that telecom subscribers get the best of service from their service providers, the telecoms regulatory agency said, consumers must also play their roles to receive quality service.
According to him, “The use of substandard and counterfeit devices, have been identified as one of the reasons for poor quality of service.
“Today, there are different types of handset in the market. Some of these devices have been used and dropped in the other parts of the world. Some are devices that did not meet international benchmarks for safety and other requirements.” he said.
While noting that second hand devices pose health risk to the users and degrade quality of service, he urged telecom consumers to be wary of the sources of telecom devices they use.
“The commission has a list of type approved handsets in its websites. These are models ascertained to be of international standards and do not affect the quality of services in the networks.” he said.
On the telecom facilities, Professor Danbatta said, World Health Organisation (WHO) has dismissed insinuation that masts pose health risk to people living around.
He, however, appealed to Nigerians to desist from obstructing expansion of telecom facilities.
Comments