adminLAGOS. — Mobile network operators decried the fines the Nigeria Communication Commission has been slapping them with over the years saying this rendered operations unviable. The companies argued such losses were impacting on plans to invest in expanding their networks. “Sanctions have not worked for the sector. It is not the way to go because it involved taking the money that should be invested in the networks to give to the regulator,” said Lanre Ajayi, president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria.
He was speaking in Lagos at the second quarter industry forum on the mobile number portability. ICT Publishers’ Alliance organised the event in Lagos.
“Such sanctions are worsening the quality of service in the country as funds that could have been ploughed back into operators’ network are paid to the regulator as fines,” Ajayi said.
He stressed that the poor quality of service was the major reason why porting traffic had been low in Nigeria.
“MNP has not really stirred up competitions because of the low quality of service the companies render,” he said.
NCC has imposed fines on the country’s mobile network operators for poor services to customers.
It recently issued a warning it would punish operators that allegedly frustrated the NMP exercise.
Airtel, Etisalat, Globacom and MTN dominate the sector. — CAJ News.
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