The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given the duo of Globacom and MTN Nigeria an additional period of 21 days to settle the long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the parties.
The telecom regulator had on January 8, 2024, published a Pre-Disconnection Notice informing subscribers of the approval granted to 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 approval, the Commission said it was deeply conscious of the potential impacts of the decision on consumers and therefore continued to engage both parties to facilitate a resolution that prioritizes and protects consumer interest and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network.
Thus, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Mouka earlier today, the Commission announced that the parties have now reached an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them.
“For this reason, and in the exercise of its regulatory powers in that regard, the Commission has put the phased disconnection on hold for 21 (twenty-one) days from today, 17 January 2024,” the stamen stated.
It added that whilst the Commission expects MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding issues within 21 days, the Commission insists that interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with the regulatory obligations of all licensees.
“Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry must keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements,” it said.