MTN-Glo Dispute: NCC hold MTN from disconnection of Glo Subscribers
By Abiodun Folarin
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has announced an hold of the 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 for a period of 21 (twenty-one) days from today, 17 January, 2024.
There have been a long standing issues between MTN and Glo over an interconnection debt dispute, which MTN had seek an approval from NCC been regulatory authority to disconnect Glo network from it services for failing to pay it debt to MTN.
In a pre-disconnection notice, on Wednesday signed by NCC, Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka said 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.
He said, 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.
“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”.
