NCC has put on hold an earlier approval it granted to the MTN for the disconnection of Globacom (Glo) over unpaid debt.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has put on hold an earlier approval it granted to the MTN for the disconnection of Globacom (Glo) over unpaid debt. The window lasts for 21 days.
The NCC made the announcement in a statement signed by its director of public affairs Reuben Muoka, on Wednesday. The action, NCC stated was because the parties have now reached agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them. “For this reason, and in exercise of its regulatory powers in that regard, the Commission has put the phased disconnection on hold for a period of 21 (twenty-one) days from today, 17 January, 2024”, the release announced.
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The commission had on 8 January said it had approved the partial disconnection of Globacom to MTN due to a non-settlement of interconnect charges.
The partial disconnection, according to the commission, means that Globacom’s subscribers would not be able to make calls to MTN, but would receive calls to the Globacom network.
In suspending the disconnection approval to the MTN, the NCC insisted that interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with regulatory obligations of all licensees
The release, titled Re: Pre-Disconnection Notice, stated:
1. On January 8, 2024 the Nigerian Communications Commission 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 long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the parties.
2. 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 prioritizes and protects consumer interest and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network.
3. The Commission is pleased to announce that the parties have now reached agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them. For this reason, and in exercise of its regulatory powers in that regard, the Commission has put the phased disconnection on hold for a period of 21 (twenty-one) days from today, 17 January, 2024.
4. Whilst the Commission expects MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding issues within the 21-day period, the Commission insists that interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with regulatory obligations of all licensees. It is obligatory that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements.