FCCPC OPENS ACTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO COMPETITION AND POSSIBLE CONSUMER RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN PAY TV INDUSTRIES
RELEASE
FCCPC OPENS ACTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO COMPETITION AND POSSIBLE CONSUMER RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN PAY TV INDUSTRIES
Pursuant to Sections 17(b),(e),(g), (s),(x) (y), 18(3), 59, 61, 62, 69,70(1)(2), 72, 73, 74, 108,109,110 Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA)
Tuesday September 1st, 2020: Upon credible information, public announcements by operators, and consumer perception analytics, the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has opened an investigation into the conduct of dominant Pay TV service providers.
Over the past 24 months, the FCCPC has conducted an investigation, pursued legal action in court, secured an injunction pre-empting price increase, entered specific orders regarding a provider, engaged in periodic surveillance and monitoring, and more recently inquired into a purported tax increase by at least one provider.
This investigation is in order to address the Commission’s concerns and publicly expressed consumer dissatisfaction with Pay TV services. The scope of the inquiry includes, but is not limited to questions about unfair dealings, unreasonable and manifestly unjust contract terms, abuse of market power, colourable pricing practices and other otherwise obnoxious or illegal conduct.
Operators are invited to familiarize themselves with the FCCPA and statutory clarifications of their obligations to the FCCPC under S.104 in addition to, and or irrespective of any obligations to other regulators.
The Commission will continue to pursue initiatives and efforts that promote and ensure fairness to all.
Babatunde Irukera
Chief Executive Officer
