By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has put the phased disconnection of MTN and Glo on hold for a period of 21 days from January 17, 2024.
Director, Public Affairs of the NCC, Dr Reuben Muoka, who announced this in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the decision to delay the disconnection followed the agreement reached by the two mobile network operators to resolve all outstanding issues between them.
The Commission 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 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.,” Muoka said.
“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,” he added.
He stated that whilst the NCC 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.”
According to Dr Muoka, “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.”
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