For violating and 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 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.
Globacom has introduced five new subscriber friendly tariff plans targeted at its prepaid customers. The telecom company said the new plans, Hi-Flyer and Talkfree have been introduced to address the needs of high value voice and data subscribers while the new G-Bam, new Infinito and new Gista which already exist, have been repackaged to offer more value to customers.
mouziz 