The Commission revealed that the parties have reached an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them and put the phased disconnection on hold for 21 days
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has instructed MTN Nigeria to suspend plans to disconnect Globacom (Glo) subscribers due to lingering inter-connection debt between the Mobile Operators.
NCC disclosed this on Thursday in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, saying it gave MTN and Glo 21 days to resolve all outstanding issues.
NCC had on October 8, published a Pre-Disconnection Notice informing subscribers of the approval granted to MTN to commence the phased disconnection of Glo with effect from January 18, 2024.
But following the agreement, it decided to halt the disconnection.
The statement reads:
“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 a 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.”
“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.”
