The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cut a fine imposed on MTN Group by more than a third to $3.4 billion and gave them until the end of the year to pay it, the company said on Thursday.
The fine, which was originally $5.2 billion was reduced after management of MTN held talks with the NCC.
The South African mobile phone operator was handed a fine by NCC for failing to cut off users with unregistered SIM cards from its network.
Nigeria, MTN’s biggest market, has been pushing telecoms firms to verify the identity of subscribers amid worries unregistered SIM cards were being used for criminal activity in a country facing insurgency from the Boko Haram sect.
Reuters quoted MTN as saying in a statement, “After further engagements with the Nigerian authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine.”
The company, which makes about 37 percent of its sales from Nigeria, said it was considering the NCC’s decision.
“Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko will immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally,” it said.
Nhleko, who took charge for up to six months after the abrupt resignation last month of Sifiso Dabengwa, led the company for nine years before stepping down in 2011.
It’s good to hear the FG is lenient with MTN.
It’s nice to hear the fine has been reduced. Excuses should not be given they cannot meet the deadline and fine not paid this time.