NCC bans all promotions by telecom operators

The Nigerian Communication Commission has banned all promotions andlotteries being run by telecommunications network operators in the country.

The commission, in a statement on Monday, cited overwhelming consumer complaints as the main reason for its action.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, affects Globacom, MTN, Intercellular Nigeria Plc, Visafone, Etisalat, Airtel Networks Limited and MultiLinks Telecoms Limited.

The Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, said NCC carefully evaluated the complaints received, especially against the backdrop of sustaining the integrity of mobile networks, general interest of the consumers, socio-economic impact of the promotions on operators and other relevant stakeholders before taking its decision.

Ojobo said, “The commission has banned all promotions by telecommunications network operators as well as lotteries being carried out on such networks. This ban covers all proposed and approved promotions andlotteries on which the commission has given approval further to the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the National LotteryRegulatory Commission.”

“This ban is with immediate effect and shall continue to remain in force until such a time as may be determined by the commission.”

Explaining the reasons for the ban, Ojobo said the promotions had increased the number of minutes available to subscribers for use within a limited period of time thereby, creating congestion on the networks, as subscribers tried to use up the available minutes within the stipulated time.

It said termination of calls was becoming increasingly difficult from one network to another, and overall consumer experience on the networks had become very poor, making it extremely difficult for subscribers to make calls successfully.

Culled from Punch