NCC to telecoys: Flout promo rules, get N10m fine

Mr Juwah  who spoke at  its 2015 public inquiries on the draft enforcement process, regulations and SIM replacement guidelines in Abuja,  said this would become part of NCC’s regulations and guidelines for all telecom operators. He said the draft enforcement regulation is an amendment of the previous regulations issued to the industry in 2005. However, […]

Mr Juwah  who spoke at  its 2015 public inquiries on the draft enforcement process, regulations and SIM replacement guidelines in Abuja,  said this would become part of NCC’s regulations and guidelines for all telecom operators.
He said the draft enforcement regulation is an amendment of the previous regulations issued to the industry in 2005.
However, he said operators will now be required to submit their advertisement copies for approval 14 days before publication or roll out in the media.
 When finalized, he said, the regulations will provide a more robust framework for effective and efficient processes and procedures for carrying out enforcement in the industry.
 “These regulations have been amended to reflect best practice which is tandem with global benchmark”, he said.
  He said: “The fine of N10 million is not really on the higher side if you consider the fact that the fines are being increased from N5 million to N10 million.
 “What has happened in the industry is that there has been a rapid growth and we have noticed that the incidence of non-compliance to our regulations has been increasing and because of the progress and success of the industry we see that the fines of 10 years ago are small and they can pay it.
 “And if they can afford to disobey the regulations and afford to pay the fines, it means the fines are no longer a deterrent to them. So what we have is to increase the fines and make it more painful for them if they do not comply with our regulations.”
 According to him, the forum is part of the commission’s rule-making process that aims at ensuring wide consultation in the development of regulatory instruments by the commission in accordance with the NCC Act.