The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC has said it has rescinded an earlier pre-disconnection notice granted to MTN Nigerian Communications Plc.
MTN to commence the phased disconnection of Globacom Limited (Glo) with effect from January 18, 2024 (today) due to long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the parties.
In a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs of the NCC, Reuben Mouka, the Commission said that parties have reached an agreement to resolve all outstanding between them and that the Commission has suspended the proposed phased disconnection.
It has however issued a fresh 21-day deadline with effect from Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
The Commission argued that it was conscious of the negative effects of such disconnection could have consumers and has therefore in exercise of its regulatory powers suspended the action for a 21-day period within which all outstanding issues must be resolved.
The statement reads in part: “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.
“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 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.”
