Regulatory Services Ban On MTN Unconnected To N780bn Fine

The Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC) has explained that the ban on
regulatory services which it placed on MTN
Nigeria is not related to the N1.04 trillion
fine the commission imposed on the
company.

A statement by the commission’s director of
Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, explained that the ban which the commission lifted earlier this week was as a result of several
regulatory infractions which predated the
fine.

The statement, released yesterday, stated
that the letter lifting the suspension of
regulatory services to MTN, signed by the
head, Compliance, Monitoring/Enforcement, Mr Efosa Idehen, and head, Legal & Regulatory Services, Mrs Yetunde Akinloye, specifically stated that the lifting of the suspension is as a result of several letters from MTN to the NCC requesting for the lifting.

According to the statement, the letter reads
in part, “We have reviewed MTN’s plea and
also took into consideration the fact that it
has abated all the infractions that gave rise
to the suspension of its regulatory services
by the commission.”

It said that the infractions included but are
not limited to tariffs and promotions by MTN in letters from the NCC dated May 4, 2015; May 9, 2015, and May 25, 2015, respectively to withdraw unapproved tariffs and promotions, specifically MTN Trutalk, MTN Best II promotions, among others.

“Having reviewed MTN’s plea therefore and
in consideration that the operator has
abated all the infractions listed above, the
NCC hereby lifts the suspension, urging
MTN to ensure that it maintains good
regulatory standing with the commission at
all times to avoid future occurrence.In lifting the suspension of regulatory services to MTN, the commission expects total
compliance with the NCA 2003, Regulations
and the Terms and Conditions of Licences
issued to MTN, and will not hesitate to
impose necessary sanctions where MTN
flouts any provision of the foregoing
regulatory instruments,” it added.