Iraq fines Zain $262m for SIM card violations
Baghdad, February 15, 2011
Iraq's Communications and Media Commission has fined Kuwait-based telecoms provider Zain $262 million for licensing agreement violations.
The fine was imposed on January 11 and Zain had three months to pay, CMC said on its website on Tuesday.
Ali Al-Awsi, a member of the CMC board of trustees, said Zain had the right to appeal the decision to the commission's board of appeal.
"Zain used 5 million chips (SIM cards) and airdropped them to the market ... without the knowledge or permission of the CMC," Awsi said. "We know that there were chips put on the market without our knowledge." - Reuters