Airtel Networks Limited, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (Etisalat), Globacom Limited and MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, are to pay a total sum of N22 million as cumulative sanctions for contravening the ban on promotions and lotteries in their respective networks..@goldmynetv

While MTN Nigeria is to pay N10 million for five promotions at N2 million each, Etisalat was fined N6 million for three promos on its network; followed by Airtel’s N4 million for running two promo; and Globacom, N2 million for one promo.

All four operators were given seven days to pay their respective fines from February 22, 2013, after which they are to pay the sum of N1 million for each day the contravention persists.

Particulars of the sanction on MTN were:

* 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#.

* Recharge with N100.00 today and get N500 FREE credit instantly. Hurry and recharge before January 22nd.

The three offending promos by Etisalat were:

* 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.

* Get 30% instant bonus on every plan subscription/renewal over 200MB.

Airtel was sanctioned for:

* Dongle and MIFI Offerings

* Reverse Auction Service.

Globacom’s contravention was for:

* BUY Samsung Galaxy SIII, or Galaxy Note II and get free 500 MB on activation, and free 100MB X 6 Months.

Notice of the sanctions, signed by the Commission’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, Ms. Josephine Amuwa, said “in the event of further non-compliance with the ban, and or refusal to pay the sanction amount within the stipulated time, the Commission shall have no other option than to impose stiffer penalties in accordance with the powers of the Commission, including but not limited to payment of N1 million for each day that the contravention persists”.

The notice 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.

The Commission, in a letter dated November 8, 2012, directed all the licensees to discontinue all promotions and lotteries running on their networks with immediate effect. 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.

Source http://goldmyne.tv/ncc-sanctions-airtel-mtn-globacom-etisalat-for-contravening-promo-ban