NCC Grants Approval To MTN To Disconnect Exchange Telecom Limited
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has Granted Approval To MTN Nigeria to disconnect Exchange Telecommunications Limited from its Network.
This was contained in a Public Notice issued by NCC on Friday, 27th December, 2024, titled “PRE-DISCONNECTION NOTICE MADE PURSUANT TO THE NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS ACT 2003 AND THE GUIDELINES FOR PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING APPROVAL TO DISCONNECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATORS, 2012,” and made available to this medium.
The Notice signed by Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, reads: “The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby notifies the public that approval has been granted for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN) as a result of non-settlement of interconnect charges.
“Exchange was notified of the application and was given opportunity to comment and state its case. The Commission, having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, determined that Exchange does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.
“The public is, therefore, requested to TAKE NOTICE that: The Commission has approved the Disconnection of Exchange to MTN in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.
“At the expiration of 5 (Five) days from the date of this notice, MTN will
discontinue passing voice and data traffic through Exchange and will, thereafter, utilise alternative channels in interconnecting with other Network Service Providers.
“Please note that this disconnection will subsist until otherwise determined by the Commission.”
It should be recalled that earlier this year, the NCC issued a similar notice of discrimination regarding MTN and Globacom. In that case, MTN was granted approval to implement a partial disconnection of Globacom over its refusal to pay interconnect debt.
Globacom was given a 10-day pre-disconnection notice. However, at the expiration of the 10 days, the Commission announced that the two MNOs had reached an agreement and there was no longer any need for disconnection.
