Wana abandons lawsuit against Maroc telecom

Wana company, which holds Inwi, said it withdrew a lawsuit it had brought in 2018 against Maroc Telecom after the latter was fined by the telecoms regulator.

Al Mada holding, which owns most stakes in Wana company, urged the board of directors to abandon the case, Wana said in a statement.

Wana dropped the case after Morocco’s regulator ordered Maroc telecom, the country’s leading operator, to pay 3.3 billion dirhams ($340 million) to the state due to its abuse of its dominant position in the market.

“The board of directors of Wana has no doubt that such measures and sanctions will enable the restoration of fair competition in the telecommunications market to the interest of consumers and enterprises and in strict respect of the law and regulations in force,” the statement adds.

Maroc Telecom has been found guilty of practicing anti-competitive practices since 2013, the regulator ARNT said few days ago, noting that the market leader refused to share unbundling on its network with other competitors in order to maintain monopoly of fixed broadband.

Other sanction may be imposed on Maroc Telecom if it doesn’t comply, the regulator ANRT said.

Maroc Telecom said in response it took note of the decision adding that it would challenge it.