AIRTEL APPEALS AGAINST CCPC FINE
AIRTEL Networks Zambia has appealed the K600, 000 slapped on it by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for allegedly deceiving internet users.
$irtel filled a notice of appeal in the /usaka +igh &ourt stating that it was dissatisfied with the decision of the &&3& tribunal rendered on )ebruary 01 .
*rounds of appeal are that the tribunal erred in fact when it found that the advertisement run by $irtel contained a false representation which was misleading and thereby, distorted.
That the tribunal erred in fact when it found that the only reasonable inference to be drawn from $irtel’s conduct is that it wanted to lure consumers to fake promotions.
)urther that that the tribunal erred in fact when it failed to observe the basic principles of sentencing and fining, when it imposed fines based on the commercial feasibility of the company.
,n this matter, an $irtel customer 0acnicious 0wimba logged a complaint with the &ompetition and &onsumer protection commission which only warned $irtel of the acts complained of.
%ut 0r 0wimba having been dissatisfied, appealed to the &ompetition and &onsumer 3rotection Tribunal which found that $irtel violated fair trading practices.
2n -uly 01 , 0r 0wim- ba’s complaint was that $irtel deceived internet users by providing an internet service called “unlimited daily monthly plan´ which, according to him, was in actual fact limited.
$nd the tribunal chaired by 6tate &ounsel, :illie 0ubanga, found that $irtel sought to lure consumers into purchasing subject internet products, believing that they would enjoy the data usage service for the whole product, even if the data bundle purchased was e[hausted.
The tribunal ordered $irtel to submit to the commission it’s latest report and audited financial statements as at -une 0, 01 .
,t also ordered $irtel to pay costs incurred by 0r 0wimba including costs of the proceed- ings in the last years.
)urther, the tribunal urged $irtel to refrain from advertisements that are misleading to consumers as they are likely to distort their purchasing decisions.