*Photo: Dr Aminu Maida, NCC Executive Vice Chairman *
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given MTN Nigerian Communications Plc. (MTN) and Globacom Limited (Glo) 21 days to resolve all outstanding issues between them regarding the interconnectivity debt by the latter.
This was contained in a press statement by Reuben Mouka, Director, Public Affairs, of the NCC.
Mouka recalled that “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.”
He noted that “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.”
The NCC Spokesman 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 said “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.”
Interconnection charges are the fees telecom service providers collect from other operators for completing calls originating from their network but terminating in another network and glo is said to be owing MTN billions of Naira in accumulated debt spanning over 15 years.