Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has imposed sanctions against four mobile service providers, Airtel Networks Ltd, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Ltd (Etisalat), Globacom Ltd and MTN Communications Nigeria Ltd. The four must pay a total sum of N22million as a sanction to the Federal Government.
According to the NCC, while MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd is to pay N10m on account of five promotions at N2m for each promotion, Etisalat is to pay N6m for three promotions in its network.
Airtel and Globacom are to pay N4m for running two promotions against the ban, N2m for one promotion respectively.
Reuben Muoka, head of media at the NCC, said in a statement that all the operators have seven days to pay their respective sanction amounts from date of receipt of the sanction notice and are liable to payment of the sum of N1,000,000 ( One Million Naira) for every day that the contravention persists.
Giving a breakdown of the sanctions, he explained that sanctions against MTN were as a result of five promotions which were identified as “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.”
In the case of Etisalat, three promotions that attracted it sanctions 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.”
Airtel is being sanctioned for two promotions which are “Dongle and MIFI Offerings; and Reverse Auction Service.” For the second national operator, Globacom, it is being sanctioned for one promotion which is the ‘Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom – let your email find you!’