The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has placed a 21-day hold on MTN Nigeria’s planned phased disconnection of Globacom Limited (Glo).
The decision, announced just hours before the disconnection was due to begin, followed an agreement reached between the two parties to resolve their long-standing interconnection debt dispute.
“The Commission is pleased to announce that MTN and Glo have reached an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them,” NCC Director of Public Affairs Reuben Mouka said in a statement. “As such, and in accordance with our regulatory mandate, we have put the phased disconnection on hold for 21 days, effective January 17, 2024.”
The proposed disconnection is due to an unaddressed interconnection debt owed by Glo to MTN, which threatens to disrupt service for millions of subscribers across the country.
“While the Commission expects MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding concerns within 21 days, the Commission urges that interconnect debts be settled by all operating businesses as a vital component of all licensees’ regulatory compliance.
“It is OBLIGATORY for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry to follow the terms and conditions of their licenses, particularly as contained in their interconnection agreements,” the statement added.
