The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a 21-day suspension (beginning January 17, 2024) of the approval it granted MTN Nigeria for a phased disconnection of Globacom subscribers from its network, following the agreement reached by the two leading telecom service providers to resolve all outstanding issues between them.
Recall that the NCC had on January 8, 2024, published a Pre-Disconnection Notice informing subscribers of the approval granted to MTN Nigerian Communications Plc. (MTN) to commence the phased disconnection of Globacom Limited (Glo) with effect from January 18, 2024, due to a long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the two telecommunication giants.
But in a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs at the NCC, and made available to Digital TimesNG Thursday morning, the NCC said that in granting the approval, “the Commission was deeply conscious of the potential impacts of the decision on consumers and therefore, continued to engage both parties to facilitate a resolution which prioritises and protects consumer interest and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network.”
The NCC said that whilst it expects both MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding issues within 21 days, it maintains its original position that interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with the regulatory obligations of all licensees.
“Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry must keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements,” the NCC said in the statement.