The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC Wednesday fined the second national operator, Globacom Ltd, to the tune of N6.5 million for non-compliance on earlier two notices.
One of the notices for the sanction, was over non compliance with direction on Ban of sales of Fully activated New SIM cards to the distribution channels, and Non-Compliance with the Guidelines on technical specifications for installation of masts and towers.
While the non-compliance to new SIM cards activation attracted N5.5m, non-compliance for installation of masts and towers attracted N1m.
Confirming the development, the Head, Media & Public Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Reuben Muoka, in a press statement noted that in the case of activated subscriber identification Module (SIM) Cards, that on February 14, 2011, compliance monitoring reports received from Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, Abuja and other locations indicated that Globacom SIM cards were fully active.
“After several correspondences conveying the findings to Globacom and a directive to fully comply by February 17, the company failed to comply,” he said.
Muoka also was quoted in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online as saying that the Commission’s Compliance Monitoring further indicated that Globacom Ltd contravened the directive on the ban on sales of Fully activated SIM cards in Anambra, Borno, Kano, Katsina and Plateau States respectively.
In addition, Globacom SIM Cards purchased in April 2011 in these states were fully activated as calls were made unrestricted from the new SIM Cards, he asserted.
The statement red in part; “The Commission thereby issued Notice of Sanction on Globacom having failed to comply with the said Direction in accordance with the provisions of Section 55 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, and the Nigerian Communications (Enforcements Processes to name a few) Regulation 2005”.
According to mr. Muoka, Globacom is to pay penalty in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira Only) within seven( 7) days from the date of the Notice and that additional sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) shall be paid by Globacom Ltd every additional day as long as the contravention persists.
“ Following continuous its failure to comply with the Direction, the Commission may deny Globacom Ltd other regulatory services and /or invoke its powers under section 45 (a,b & d) of NCA 2003,” NCC said.
As to the case of non-Compliance with the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for Installation of Masts and Towers/Failure to Provide Information Regarding Globacom Ltd’s Mast at Gboko, Benue State, Globacom is in contravention of Section 65 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Second Schedule of the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes Etc ) Regulation 2005, Chapter1, 5 of the Relevant Guidelines on Masts and Towers.
Globacom Ltd is therefore liable to a fine of N1,000,000 ( One Million Naira Only) payable within 21 days of receipt of the Notice and in the event of failure to pay the stated fine, and consistent with regulatory practice, the Commission might among other things, enforce its statutory powers including but not limited to its powers pursuant to Section 45 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
NCC further warned all telecom services providers to adhere strictly to all its regulations and directions for the benefit of sanity in the industry.
NCC prides itself as an independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, thus responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.
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