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Maroc Telecom's $898m Fine Gets Directed Into COVID-19 Fund

Mobile Money and Telcos	4963 VIEWS
Mobile Money and Telcos
4963 VIEWS

Monday, March 30, 2020 /05:24 PM / By Broadcast Media Africa / Header Image Credit: Seek Vector Logo

Maroc Telecom's $898 million fine that had been issued by Morocco's National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ANRT) has now been directed into a fund that was set up by the government to help fight coronavirus (COVID-19).

In February 2020 IT Web Africa reported that the telco had been fined for anti-competition practices that violated regulations governing the local loop unbundling (LLU).

The company was accused of preventing its rivals from accessing LLU and fixed broadband.

The mobile operator initially said that it would appeal the decision, but has since resorted to paying the fine.

The fund will help in covering the costs of upgrading Morocco's medical industry by providing infrastructure and additional means to treat people who have been infected with the virus.

Morocco's government said that the fund would also support the country's economy to cope with the impact of the pandemic.

In addition to ANRT, other donors of the fund include Bank of Africa, members of parliament Afriquia Gas and government officials.

Members of the government each donated one month's salary and members of the Houses of Parliament contributed with their monthly allowances.