Foreign Calls Reflecting As Local Calls To Be Investigated

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has initiated investigations into the phenomenon whereby incoming foreign calls have their telephone numbers registered as local numbers of certain mobile networks. This is contrary to the accustomed foreign call indications such as �Private-number� or �Unknown Call� among others that appear on the screen of one�s phone. Many mobile phone subscribers say, the phenomenon has been in existence for some time now but it appears to becoming increasingly rampant in recent times. Some individuals, who have experienced it, told Citi Business that the numbers that appear sometimes reflect as an MTN or Vodafone number. The NCA however told Citi Business the issue has been brought to its notice and it is frantically collaborating with other stakeholders to effectively address it. The Director General, Bernard Forson in an exclusive interview with Citi Business said it is perceived to be emanating from the illicit operations of some individuals. �Technology has always being ahead of regulations and regulatory practices so this would continue to happen and we just have to chase and find the appropriate technologies to mutilate it�, he said. He added that �this has been on our attention for all this while but it is not something we have to broadcast because we don�t want to cause a social scare�. He further explained that the importance it has attached to the issue is primarily due to the revenue leakage it causes which also has far-reaching consequences to the economic development of the country as a whole. �If there is a leakage, the operator doesn�t get the money he is supposed to get and consequently his revenue is not going to be as high as expected.� He added.