The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has put a 21-day halt on MTN Nigeria’s planned phased disengagement from Globacom Limited.
The decision, made only hours before the disconnection was scheduled to commence, followed an agreement between the two sides to end their long-standing interconnection debt issue.
“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 anticipated disconnection is the result of an unpaid interconnection bill owed by Glo to MTN, which threatens to interrupt service for millions of users 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.
