For contravening the ban on promotions and lotteries on their respective networks, the telecoms regulatory agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC Thursday slammed a total of N22 million fine on the four GSM operators including MTN, Globacom Limited, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Ltd (Etisalat) and Airtel.
The ban covered proposed and approved promotions and lotteries after the Commission was inundated with several complaints from consumers and stakeholders against various promotions in the various networks.
It would be recalled that the four top telecoms firms in the country were fined a total N1.17 b by the industry regulator by middles of last year for not meeting stipulated quality of service benchmarks called key performance indicators.
Accordingly, MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, is to pay N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) on account of five promotions at N2,000,000(Two Million Naira) for each promotion while Etisalat is to pay N6,000,000 (Six Million Naira) for three promotions in its network.
Similarly, Airtel is to pay N4,000,000 (Four Million Naira) for running two promotions against the ban while Globacom will pay N2,000,000 ( Two Million) for one promotion.
The notice of the sanctions, signed by the Commission’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, Ms. Josephine Amuwa, said, “in the event of further non-compliance with the ban, and or refusal to pay the sanction amount within the stipulated time, the Commission shall have no other option than to impose stiffer penalties in accordance with the powers of the Commission, including but not limited to payment of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) for each day that the contravention persists”.
The notice further stated that the failure of the service providers to discontinue the promotions in accordance with the commission’s directives is a direct contravention of Guidelines on adverts and promotions, as well as the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes, etc) Regulations 2005.
She said that all the operators have seven days to pay their respective sanction amounts from date of receipt of the sanction notice on February 22, 2013, adding that the operators were liable for payment of the sum of N1,000,000 ( One Million Naira) for any day that the contravention persists.
It would be recalled that the Commission had earlier in a letter dated November 8, 2012, directed all the licensees to discontinue all promotions and lotteries running on their networks with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, sanctions on MTN were as a result of five promotions including, Free Airtime for MTN to MTN calls (8AM – 5PM), MTN to MTN SMS and free MB for Data. Dial *559#, Free N100.00 airtime for MTN to MTN calls, Airtime Bonus valid for life. Dial *559#, MTN Super Saver, get 500%, bonus valid till midnight. Dial *507# and Recharge with N100.00 today and get N500 FREE credit instantly. Hurry and recharge before January 22nd.
For Etisalat, three promotions that attracted it sanctions will include buy a MIFI device and get 1GB free for six months, buy a router device and get 50 MB free data spread over four months and get 30% instant bonus on every plan subscription/renewal over 200MB.
On the other hand, Airtel is being sanctioned for two promotions including dongle and MIFI offerings and reverse auction service.
In addition, Globacom has been sanctioned for engaging in one promotion of BUY Samsung Galaxy SIII, or Galaxy Note II and get free 500 MB on activation, and free 100MB X 6 Months.
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Now I wonder what is wrong with the promo these guys are running, particularly MTN's. I'm sayin this bcos i'm a direct beneficiary and sure some other people will be availing it someplace as well. I couldnt believe in my wildest imagination MTN (MTN of all networks) could be giving away such bazaar. Instead of going after the leg of the elephant, they busy chasing the head of a cricket!..These NCC clowns are real show spoilers. Silly people...
ReplyDeleteNNC,pls allow us to enjoy....
ReplyDeleteThe above speakers u people are the 419 we have in this country.because these communication companies are rubbing 150 million to pay u guys then u want them to continue?
ReplyDeleteU guys better go and look for something doing before u will land into police net.
Especially, GLO, the kind of promo they run is want we call criminal of the highest.how can telecommunication set a promo and the sametime activate it on their own thereby estorting money from their customers