NCC Bans all telecoms Promos and Lotteries

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) bans all telecoms promos
and Lotteries in Nigeria.

The Commission has, in recent times been inundated with several
complaints from consumers, Industry Stakeholders against the various
promotions offered by Telecommunications Operators.
Consistent with its processes, the Commission has carefully evaluated
the complaints received especially against the backdrop of sustaining
the integrity of the networks, the general interest of the consumers,
the socio-economic impact of these promotions on Operators and other
relevant stakeholders.

The Commission is also mindful of its statutory responsibilities such
as; to protect and promote the interest of consumers against unfair
practices, promote fair competition in the industry by protecting
Operators from misuse of market power and anti-competitive/unfair
practices by other Operators.
i. In due regard to the afore-mentioned responsibilities therefore and
having observedthat these promotions have increased the number of
minutes available to subscribers for use within a limited period of
time thereby creating congestion in the networks as subscribers try to
use up the available minutes within the stipulated time.
ii. That on-net calls were now being offered by Operators at tariffs
well below the prevailinginter-connect rates thereby introducing
anti-competitive practices and behaviour.
iii. That termination of calls were becoming increasingly difficult
from one network to another and overall consumer experience on the
networks has become very poor thereby making it extremely difficult
forsubscribers to make calls successfully.
Consequent upon the above-mentioned, the Commission therefore 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 and lotteries on which the Commission
has given approval further to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
entered into with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
This ban is with immediate effect and shall continue to remain in
force until such a time as may be determined by the Commission.

The Telecom Operators affected by this include the following:
• GLOBACOM LTD
• MTN
• INTERCELLULAR NIG PLC
• VISAFONE COMMS LTD
• ETISALAT
• AIRTEL NETWORKS LTD
• MULTILINKS TELECOMS LTD
The Commission wishes to assure all Telecommunications consumers of
its resolve to ensure that the Quality of Service offered across all
networks is such that delivers value to the consumers.
Tony Ojobo
Director, Public Affairs