By 
Telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) has fined Airtel and 9mobile a total fine of N136m.
The two telcos came under the NCC’s hammer for regulatory infractions that include unlawful automatic renewal of data subscription, wrongful disconnection of an interconnect carrier and breaking the Do-Not-Disturb directive.
According to the 2019 first quarter enforcement report of the NCC, Airtel, Nigeria’s third largest operator, erred by disconnecting an interconnect carrier, Exchange Telecommunications Limited, without getting the required regulatory approval. The operator is to pay a total fine of N121m for this infraction.
“Airtel Networks Limited, having contravened the provisions of the Quality of Service Regulations, 2013 and Enforcement Processes Regulations, 2005 by disconnecting Exchange Telecommunications Limited without the commission’s approval, was sanctioned on March 28, 2019 to pay the sum of N121m to the commission,” said the enforcement report.
According to the NCC, 9mobile committed a regulatory offence for placing subscribers who had opted for full DND on Value Added Service (VAS). Airtel was also found to have committed a similar offence. Both operators were fined N5m each for the offense that affected 13 subscribers of 9mobile and 56 Airtel customers.
By law, once the 2442 Do-Not-Disturb short-code has been activated by subscribers, they cannot be inundated with unsolicited text messages. Networks that fail to comply risk being fined once offended consumers report to the regulator using a toll-free line.
Telcos are also fined should they put subscribers on automatic renewal of data subscription without their consent.
The fines are part of consumer-centric regulations to protect consumers from predatory tendencies of networks.
