The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has suspended its planned barring of Glo subscribers from calling MTN lines for an additional 21 days.
This was contained in a statement signed by the commission’s Director Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka on Thursday in Abuja.
TheFact Daily Recalled that the Commission, in a Pre-Disconnection Notice issued on January 8, 2024, had granted approval to MTN Nigerian Communications Plc. to commence the phased disconnection of Globacom Limited with effect from January 18, 2024, following a long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the parties.
The commission 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 prioritises and protects consumer interest and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network”.
However NCC said, ”it 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”, the Commission stated.
