NCC Puts MTN’s Planned Phased Disconnection Of Glo On Hold For 21 Days
Following the agreement reached between MTN Nigerian Communications Plc (MTN) and the Globacom Limited (Glo), on 17 January, 2024 to resolve all issues relating to long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the parties, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has put on hold the initial approval grated MTN Nigeria to commence phased disconnection of Globacom Limited (Glo) which was to commence on January 18, 2024 for 21 days.
This was contained in a statement yesterday signed by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Mouka.
According to the statement, 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.
The Commission, in the statement, charged all operating entities to ensure settlement of interconnect debts as a necessary component towards compliance with regulatory obligations of all licensees.
“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,” the statement added.
It would be 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.
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.
