Nigerian Regulator Puts Globacom’s Disconnection on Hold, Offers 21 Days Window for Reconciliation with MTN 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said Globacom’s subscribers will no longer be disconnected by MTN, following agreement reached by both telecoms operators to settle their interconnect indebtedness.

NCC had last week, issued a statement, allowing MTN to partially disconnect Globacom’s subscribers from receiving calls generated from the MTN network, until Globacom settles the interconnect debt it is owing MTN.

NCC had said the directive to partially disconnect Globacom’s subscribers would take effect from Thursday January 18, 2024, but rescinded its decision in a statement it issued on Thursday, stopping MTN from disconnecting Globacom’s subscribers.

According to NCC’s statement, signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoaka, “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.

“The commission is pleased to announce that the parties have now reached an 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.”  

According to NCC, the commission expects MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding issues within the 21-day period, as 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.

NCC further said it remained obligatory that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry would keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements.

Emma Okonji

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