The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has fined Airtel Networks Zambia PLC K 600 000 in a matter in which a complaint was raised against the Company for deceiving internet users.
Facts are that on September 13th, 2013 the complainant, Macnicious Mwimba lodged a complaint against Airtel Networks Zambia Plc that it deceived internet users by providing an internet service called “unlimited daily/monthly plan” which, according to him, was in actual fact limited.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on February 28th, 2018 chaired by Willie Mubanga State Counsel, delivered a judgement read by Eness Chiyenge also ordered Airtel to pay costs incurred by the complainant to include costs of the proceedings in the last 4 years.
According to the judgement, the tribunal concluded that Airtel sought to lure consumers into purchasing subject internet product, believing that they would enjoy the data usage service for the whole product, even if the data bundle purchased was exhausted.
Further, the tribunal has urged Airtel to refrain from advertisements that are misleading to consumers as they are likely to distort their purchasing decisions.
Comment:plz help me i don’t get it where does that amount of money going is it going to all airtel users or to that man who lodged the complait.
The 600 000 is going to CCPC .This is the penalty that has been slapped on Airtel for breaching the competition and consumer protection Law.
Part of the money is for court expenses accrued during the process of the case for both the plaintiff and defendant.
Airtel are a bunch of deceitful bustards who have been over charging customers for years. There data charges are the highest in the industry though they claim to be cheaper. MTN, on the other hand, are very fair.
This is good.other mobile providers should also be investigated
Good decision the charge should have been higher ….. Zamtel needs to also stop claiming to provide 4.5 G network this is misleading to consumers as there is no such network besides I don’t believe their speeds even hit 4G speeds. This is at best a 3G network
Service provided by Zamtel is absolutely unsatisfactory, despite changes in management. Something drastic must be done at this state enterprise, and the sooner the better.
And recently Zamtel advertised more bundles, more minutes and more sms for K5 when you dial 422.
When is it effective?
Point of correction.
Its NOT the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission that fined Airtel. Its the The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal which fined Airtel after I appealed against the decision that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission made. The commission found Airtel to have violated the law but refused to fine Airtel, despite Airtel repeatedly violating the law 5 times. That is why I appealed to the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal to reverse the unfair decision that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission made.
Would you please correct this statement as this is misrepresentation of facts.