The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has been receiving numerous complaints from consumers regarding shortfalls in the bundles, products and services offered by the Mobile Network Operators (Licensees).
After receiving the complaints, the Authority conducted a thorough investigation, which revealed that Mobile Network Operators do provide unclear, incomplete and inaccurate terms and conditions for their bundles, products and services contrary to Regulations 4 and 7(3) of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Consumer Protection) Regulations, 2018 and Regulation 12(4) of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Tariff) Regulations, 2018.
Upon identifying licensees’ violation of the aforementioned Regulations, on 5th November, 2019 TCRA issued a directive that required the Licensees to rectify the shortfalls detected on their bundles, products and services before 31st December, 2019. However, the Licensees, failed, neglected or refused to comply with the said directive.
Pursuant to Section 48 of the TCRA Act, Cap.172 R.E. 2017 of the Laws of Tanzania, the Mobile Network Operators, Airtel Tanzania Plc, Zanzibar Telecoms Plc, Viettel Tanzania Plc, MIC Tanzania Plc were ordered to appear before TCRA on 11th June 2020 and Vodacom Tanzania Plc, Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation, Smile Communications Tanzania Ltd, on 12th June, 2020 to show cause why regulatory measures should not be taken against them for the breach committed. The Mobile Network Operators appeared before TCRA as ordered.
After consideration of each Licensee’s defence, the breach committed, as well as the need to protect consumers of Telecommunications services against breaches of Law, Regulations, License Conditions and Directives issued by the Authority, TCRA penalized each licensee as follows: -
A. Airtel Tanzania Plc
1) To pay, within fourteen (14) days, a fine of TZS 350,000,000/= (Tanzania Shillings Three Hundred and Fifty Million), only.
2) To rectify the anomalies and report to the Authority how they have complied with by 30th July, 2020;
B.MIC Tanzania Plc
1) To pay, within fourteen (14) days, a fine of TZS 300,000,000/= (Tanzania Shillings Three Hundred Million), only.
2) To rectify the anomalies and report to the Authority how they have complied with by 30th July, 2020;
C.Smile Communications Tanzania Ltd,
1) To pay, within fourteen (14) days, a fine of TZS 15,000,000/= (Tanzania Shillings Fifteen Million), only.
2) To rectify the anomalies and report to the Authority how they have complied with by 30th July, 2020;
D.Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation
1) To pay, within fourteen (14) days, a fine of TZS 30,000,000/= (Tanzania Shillings Thirty Million), only.
2) To rectify the anomalies and report to the Authority how they have complied with by 30th July, 2020;
E.Viettel Tanzania Plc
1) To pay, within fourteen (14) days, a fine of TZS 130,000,000/= (Tanzania Shillings One hundred and Thirty Million), only.
2) To rectify the anomalies and report to the Authority how they have complied with by 30th July, 2020;
F. Vodacom Tanzania Plc
1) To pay, within fourteen (14) days, a fine of TZS 400,000,000/= (Tanzania Shillings Four Hundred Million), only.
2) To rectify the anomalies and report to the Authority how they have complied with by 30th July, 2020;
G.Zanzibar Telecoms Plc
1) To pay, within fourteen (14) days, a fine of TZS 25,000,000/= (Tanzania Shillings Twenty-five Million), only.
2) To rectify the anomalies and report to the Authority how they have complied with by 30th July, 2020.
Should any of the Mobile Network Operators fail to comply with the above Order, TCRA shall proceed to take further regulatory and legal action against them without further Notice and at their own costs and consequences.
ISSUED BY DIRECTOR GENERAL
TANZANIA COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
2nd July 2020
Toa Maoni Yako:
0 comments so far,add yours
Hii ni Blog ya Watanzania popote walipo duniani kwa ajili ya kuhabarisha, kutoa/kupokea taarifa na kuelimisha mambo yote yaliyo chanya kwa Taifa letu. Tafadhali sana unapotoa maoni usichafue hali ya hewa wala usijeruhi hisia za mtu/watu. Kuwa mstaarabu...