After refusing to pay the fines imposed on them by Nigeria’s Communications Commission (NCC), mobile operators MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat have agreed to pay the N1.17 billion fine ($7.3-million).
The NCC has given the operators numerous deadlines for payment, with the most recent being 25 May, for what the NCC claimed was poor quality of service.
“However, the companies, whose representatives met with NCC officials in Abuja yesterday, demanded, as a precondition for the payment of the fines, a review of the present KPIs, which they argued did not take into consideration the peculiarity of the Nigerian business environment,” wrote This Day.
The NCC previously said that if the amounts were not paid over, the NCC will have no other choice but to institute additional payment of N2.5 million ($15 000) per day for as long as they refuse.
NCC Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, confirmed that the operators agreed to pay the fines, but was reluctant to say if it will include the penalties.
“Outside the sanctions we demanded that they show us a concrete plan they have in place to improve their services. The service providers have given their commitment that services are going to improve because substantial investments are going to be made,” he said.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
Why not.
Very good, they should pay, especially mtn.
They are truely lagging in their services, but NCC should temper justice with mercy. After all, they are paying heavily on our costly diesel fuel to drive their mast as Nigeria can't provide them stable power.
And mind you that we the subscribers are going to shoulder it in cash or kind. For the statement never say "pay to their subscribers!"
They complained of vandalisation of their optic cables, and we seemed not capable of protecting them.
Nigeria should be careful not to discourage other foreign investors.
Nokia, Sony Ericsson and too many others wanted to bring their factories here. Who knows if they for see this.
We can't afford more job loss amidst high unemployement.
My own na advise o!
no mind this country. No priorities at all
Who is going to be the beneficiary of this money? NCC should ensure that we subscribers benefit from this money.