…NCC Extends MTN’s 800MHz Spectrum License Until 2034
The Federal High Court in Lagos has affirmed the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors, including telecommunications.
Justice Friday Ogazi dismissed an attempt by Emeka Nnubia, a shareholder in MTN, to prevent the FCCPC from investigating the telecommunications giant. The judge ruled that Nnubia lacked a valid reason to challenge the probe, stating that he was “wailing more than the bereaved.”
MTN, meanwhile, has apologised to customers for recent service disruptions, but connectivity issues persist.
On December 1, 2024, the FCCPC announced an investigation into consumer complaints against MTN and other private companies. Nnubia, concerned about the impact on his investment, sought a court order to halt the inquiry, arguing that it could violate the Nigeria Data Protection Act and that only the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had the authority to regulate MTN.
However, the court ruled against him, stating that the FCCPC’s mandate, under Sections 17 and 18 of the FCCPA, includes preventing anti-competitive practices. It also emphasized that the NCC and FCCPC share concurrent regulatory authority over the telecom sector, as seen in other jurisdictions.
Millions of MTN subscribers, particularly in Lagos, faced significant network disruptions over the weekend, leading to slow internet speeds, failed calls, and undelivered SMS messages.
Frustrated users took to social media to express their dissatisfaction. One user, Sir David Onyemaizu, tweeted:
“MTN should stop telecommunications and turn their offices into canteens. A rubbish network.”
Another user, Anime Queen (@layzeeloli), wrote:
“MTN, Airtel, and Glo are lucky they have no real competition. I wish a game-changing network would emerge and put them out of business. We need an Opay version of telecom providers.”
Despite MTN’s assurances that services have been restored, many customers still report slow internet speeds and SMS delivery issues.
According to the NCC, MTN remains Nigeria’s largest telecom operator, with 84 million subscribers and a 51.4% market penetration as of December 2024.
