NCA sanctions MTN for failing to comply with directives on network challenges

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has sanctioned mobile network operator, MTN Ghana for failing to comply with directives which were issued to them following some challenges with their network recently. 

The NCA directed MTN to refund losses to customers and compensate them accordingly.

MTN was also directed to submit a report on the challenges faced by customers within 24 hours of receipt of the directive.

But in a statement issued Thursday [December 5, 2019], the NCA explained that its monitoring has revealed that MTN has begun rolling out compensation and refunds to affected subscribers accordingly.

However, MTN failed to submit the report by the deadline indicated.

The NCA, has therefore in line with the Schedule of Penalties gazetted in May 2015, imposed the following sanctions on MTN for the two instances of failure to communicate challenges on their network and the failure to submit a report within the stipulated time as directed:

1. A fine of GH¢50,000.00 in accordance with Section N (23) of the Authority’s Schedule of Penalties for failure to give notice as soon as possible to the Authority and all affected persons including subscribers for challenges with billing inaccuracies regarding the purchase of their telecommunications service bundles.
2. A fine of GH¢50,000.00 in accordance with Section N (23) of the Authority’s Schedule of Penalties for failure to give notice as soon as possible to the Authority and all affected persons including subscribers for inaccessibility of MTN’s Customer Care lines.
3. A fine of GH¢10,000.00 daily in accordance with Section N (7) of the Authority’s Schedule of Penalties for failure to submit the report within 24 hours. It should be noted that this Pecuniary Penalty is a fine of GH¢10,000.00 for each day the infraction persists.

The statement added that MTN has also been instructed to ensure that the fines in (1) and (2) above are paid by close of business on Monday, December 9, 2019.

The NCA further entreats consumers to report all challenges to the Complaints Unit of the Authority after duly reporting to the mobile network operator concerned. The contact details for the NCA Complaints Unit are: Toll-Free – 0800-110-622 Email – complaints@nca.org.gh

It said the Authority will also continue to monitor the situation to ensure that consumers duly receive services they have paid for and that service providers comply strictly with their licence obligations.