MTN In Nigeria Has Been Hit With A Fine Of N1trillion
The Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC) has issued a landmark fine of N1.04
trillion ($5.2bn) against MTN Nigeria for failing
to disconnect subscribers with unregistered and
incomplete subscriber identification modules
(SIM) cards within the stipulated time.
The fine which is the largest in the history of
telecom infringements may redefine the
relationships between telecommunications
operators and the regulator.
An MTN official who is not authorised to speak
on the matter however confirmed to
LEADERSHIP that NCC truly issued the fine
against the company. The official said “This
fine is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.
The amount is even bigger than the entire
budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria. It
is enough to make the operator close its
operations in the country.”
Another top telecom official in the industry also
questioned the motive behind this gargantuan
fine, saying the highest fine ever fined an
operator in the country is N200 million.
Last Thursday, MTN Group had announced that
its Nigerian operation lost 5.1 million subscriber
lines in the month of August to the deactivation
of incomplete SIM registrations ordered by NCC.
This has led to MTN cutting its full-year forecast
for subscriber numbers.
Nik Kershaw, MTN spokesman confirmed that it
is also facing “ongoing regulatory restrictions”.
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