ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has suspended the approval it earlier gave to MTN Nigeria to disconnect Glo customers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday but received Thursday morning by Sundiata Post, NCC through its Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said the suspension followed discussion between MTN and Globacom to resolve the issue.
The statement said the suspension would be for a period of 21 days and expressed the hope that the two mobile network operators would be able to resolve the issues between them within the period.
The statement reads:
Re: PRE-DISCONNECTION NOTICE
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
SIGNED
Reuben Mouka
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
17th January 2024
