From July 1, mobile network operators in Nigeria will be issued with a NGN5-million fine for calling or sending unsolicited SMS to their subscribers, following a decision by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The regulator said subscribers complain that in addition to unsolicited SMS' and calls from their service providers, they are also subscribed to services they have not registered for.

The NCC said it has informed all mobile network operators in the country of the new development.

Companies must also set up a free 2442 USSD service through which subscribers can join the 'Do Not Disturb' (DND) database that restricts unsolicited marketing messages.

"It shall be mandatory for mobile operators to create sufficient awareness to its subscribers on the existence of the DND on their networks; that they shall also comply with the quarterly and reporting template prescribed by the NCC to ensure feedback and compliance," stated the regulator.

The NCC directive states that subscribers who do not make use of the USSD service can only be engaged at specific times, between the hours of 8am and 8pm. "Operator generated SMS is excluded from the DND list in as much as such messages are in conformity with NCC's directive on timing and regularity, and do not constitute a nuisance to subscribers and the subscribers shall have right to partial or full DND implementation."

Operators who do not comply with the NCC's latest directives are also liable to pay a penalty of NGN500,000 each day they default.