NCC INTERVENES IN MTN/GLO DISPUTE, GIVES 21-DAY DEADLINE TO SORT INTERCONNECTION DEBTS
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida
But for the intervention of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the dispute between telecoms giant, MTN and Globacom over interconnection debt would have led to disconnection of service between the two companies today. The regulatory agency, NCC, has however given a 21-day window for the resolution of issues, Trek Africa Newspaper can report.
The press release by the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Reuben Mouka granted Trek Africa Newspaper today disclosed: ‘On January 8, 2024 the Nigerian Communications Commission published a Pre-Disconnection Notice informing subscribers of the approval granted to MTN by 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. 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.’
On the new development, ‘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. 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’, NCC warns telecoms operators.
