NCC Confirms Agreement Between Glo, MTN On Interconnect Fees

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has confirmed that telecoms operators MTN and Globacom have reached an agreement to resolve interconnect debt issue between them.

This was announced this morning in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Reuben Muoka.

“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.

With the development, Glo subscribers will not be barred from making calls to MTN, and neither will MTN subscribers have any issues calling Glo network as earlier announced by the telecommunications industry regulator last week.

While the notice from NCC last week had stated that Glo was owing MTN interconnect fees, industry sources later confirmed that Glo had actually paid off the debt in question.

 Below is the Verdict dully signed:

Re: PRE-DISCONNECTION NOTICE

1. On January 8, 2024 the Nigerian Communications Commission published a 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. 

2. 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. 

3. 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.  

4. 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.