MTN’s Nigerian unit on Monday confirmed that it has been slapped with a fine worth the equivalent of US$5.2 billion (€4.7 billion) for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards in accordance with the regulator’s timeline.
The mobile operator said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) imposed the punishment in relation to the timing of the disconnection of 5.1 million subscribers in August and September.
It was fined 200,000 naira (just over $1,000) per subscriber, leaving it with a total b ill in excess of NGN1 trillion.
"MTN Nigeria is currently in discussions with the NCC to resolve the matter in recognition of the circumstances that prevailed with regard to these subscribers," MTN Nigeria said, in a statement.
The Nigerian regulator is cracking down on unregistered SIM cards, which pose a security threat in the country.
The Nigeria business is South Africa-based MTN’s largest operating unit. It generated 34% of group revenues in the most recent financial year and 46% of EBITDA.
