Recently it was announced that the NCC has mandated all telecommunication networks to introduce a Do-Not-Disturb (DND) service to all customers, effective from July 1, 2016.

As earlier believed, this service will allow customers to choose their preference with respect to receiving broadcasted promotional messages on the network. What this means is that subscribers to these networks will have the liberty of choosing what message they will like to get on their phones per time.

Well, so much for such belief...

The latest discovery is that telecommunication networks automatically subscribed some customers to this service without their consent. While the whole idea of this service is a welcome development, such act as default subscription is definitely what may pose as a disadvantage (or advantage) to unsuspecting customers.

Below are the Pros and Cons of automatic/default subscription to this service by mobile telecom firms

Pros...
No more Isaiah 58:5
You do not mistake a message for a bank alert
You are very aware of all messages that can come into your phone
More job invite credibility: you can now see the phone number sending you a job invite and not MGR RESOURCES or MGR 001
You battery life is safe
Rest of Mind...

NOW the Cons...
You miss out on important wedding invitations
You loose that job interview or info from company e.g N-Power
You may never get bank alerts any more
And MANY MORE

Simply put...
A full subscription to the service blocks even a bank alert from entering your phone. And imagine a company decides to send a bulk SMS interview invite to successful candidates or a distant classmate is about to wed and you're not informed... that may be painful right?


To manage your service efficiently (the phone STOP or ALLOW may not work for those subscribed by default) follow the instructions below
Logon to https://donotdisturb.mtnonline.com:8081/vasportal

Sign in with you PHONE number and PASSWORD

To get your password, you may have to deliberately subscribe to the service by sending STOP to 2442
A password is sent to you

Logon to https://donotdisturb.mtnonline.com:8081/vasportal

On the Top Menu, you'll see CONTACT | SERVICE | PACKAGES

Click on Service

Then on SMS Cos Service you will see an OFF/ON toggle. If it is green, it is on. If it is grey, it is off

Make sure it is ON

Then just above the 'SMS Cos Service' click on 'Set Service'

Then click on 'Service Configuration'

On 'Set cos strategy validation', you can choose what service you DO NOT want by ticking it and SAVING it

Leaving all TICKED means you do not want ALL the Service there. Leaving ALL unticked means you want the service

NOTE: This is for MTN only. As for other networks, simply send HELP to 2442.


cc: lalasticlala, Seun

Duh