Interconnection debt: NCC temporarily suspends disconnection of Glo from MTN

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has suspended the disconnection of Globacom Limited (Glo) by MTN Nigeria over interconnection debt.

In a statement on Thursday, the NCC said the decision was reached after the telcos agreed to resolve all outstanding issues between them.

The fresh directive comes almost two weeks after the regulator permitted MTN to commence the phased disconnection of Glo with effect from January 18, 2024, (today) due to the long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the parties.

In the latest directive, NCC said it is suspending the partial disconnection for 21 days starting for January 17, 2024.

“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,” NCC said.

“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.

“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.”

The commission further urged all mobile network operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry to keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements.