The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has put on hold the phased disconnection between MTN Nigerian Communications (MTN) and Globacom Limited (Glo) for a period of 21 days from Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
This followed an agreement reached between the two parties to resolve all outstanding issues between them which was brokered by the NCC in exercise of its regulatory powers.
A statement by Reuben Mouka, Director of Public Affairs of the NCC, explained that in granting the earlier 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 that prioritizes and protects consumer interest and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network.
The NCC said that while it expected MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding issues within the 21-day period, it however insisted that interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with the regulatory obligations of all licensees.
The Commission further said; “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”.
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 parties.
