Subsidy Anger: NCC Says No Plan To Block BlackBerry Messages

SAN FRANCISCO, January 03, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulatory agency, has denied speculations that it ordered telecommunication companies to shut down BlackBerry services in Nigeria in order to frustrate communications following the protests against the sudden removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

A statement on its website by Tony Ojobo, the Director of Public Affairs, reads, “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to an information making rounds that the NCC had at a meeting this morning agreed with CEOs of telecommunications networks to shutdown Blackberry Services in order to deny Nigerians the use of that very important social network.

The Management hereby states categorically that there was never such a meeting held, nor was there ever a resolution to shut down Blackberry services. The Public is please advised to disregard such information.

The Commission enjoins the network operators to continue to provide all telecommunication services, including Blackberry Services without fail.”

Also, Airtel Networks Limited, one of the GSM companies has said it has no plan to shut down its Blackberry Services nor did it receive any instruction from any quarter to shut down Blackberry Services.