The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted MTN approval to disconnect Glo from its network over interconnect debt.
It was disclosed by NCC, in a document on Monday, titled: ‘Pre-Disconnection Notice,’ notified the public and subscribers of Globacom that there have been an granted for the partial disconnection of Globacom from MTN Nigeria due to non-settlement of interconnect charges.
In a document from NCC which was signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, explained that Globacom was notified of the application made by MTN and was given opportunity to comment and state its case.
Having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness The Commission said, it was determined that Globacom does not have significant or justifiable reasons for non-payment of the interconnect charges.
“All subscribers are, therefore officially informed to take notice that the Commission has approved the Partial Disconnection of Globacom to MTN in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and Paragraph 9 of the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.
“A 10 days official notice was given, and At it’s expiration starting from January 8, 2024, subscribers of Globacom will no longer be able to make calls to MTN, but will be able to receive calls.
“The Partial Disconnection, however, will allow in-bound calls to Globacom network,” it stated. NCC said this disconnection will persist until otherwise determined by it. in an information research, it was discovered that Globacom has 61 million subscribers and 27.8 per cent penetration.
In November 2023, Adebayo revealed that the telecom operators now contend with increased taxes and levies, rising from 41 to 52. Making a confirmation that multiple taxation is still a problem in Nigeria’s telecom industry, and operators have tried to raise this issue with the government. But the problem has received little or no attention.
Subsequently, with the surge in diesel prices in August 2023, the cost of powering communication networks escalated. As emphasised by Telecom experts that there is a threat posed by the rising costs of inputs to the sector’s sustainability.
