MTN and Orange Face Multi-Million Dollar Fines in Cameroon Over Service Failures
Cameroon’s telecommunications regulator, the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB), has penalized MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon with fines totaling over $4.6 million (2.6 billion CFA). The penalties stem from violations related to network coverage and the quality of services provided to customers, as stipulated in their operating licenses. This action highlights the growing pressure on telecom operators across Africa to meet rising consumer expectations.
Service Quality Lapses Lead to Regulatory Action
Comprehensive inspections conducted by the TRB between April and May 2024 revealed significant shortcomings in both MTN and Orange’s network performance. The regulatory body identified failures to meet crucial benchmarks for network coverage and service quality in key areas. These areas included major corridors and urban centers like Yaounde, Douala, Ebolowa, and Ntam. Orange received a fine of $2.5 million, while MTN was penalized $1.8 million for these network inadequacies. Further investigation also revealed irregular pricing practices and dysfunctional opt-out mechanisms for value-added services (VAS), particularly on the Orange platform. As a result, the TRB imposed an additional fine of $357,000 (200 million CFA) on Orange for these pricing violations.
The TRB’s decisive actions send a clear signal that it is committed to enforcing service standards and protecting consumer interests in Cameroon’s telecommunications market. The fines serve as a warning to other operators and underscore the importance of investing in robust infrastructure and transparent business practices.
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