NCC halts plan to bar Glo subscribers from calling MTN lines

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has backtracked on its plan to bar Glo subscribers from calling MTN lines and has given it a grace period of 21 days.

The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Mouka, disclosed that both parties have reached an agreement to resolve all pending issues between them.

A statement by the NCC, obtained by Persecondnews on Thursday, said: “We are deeply conscious of the potential impact of the decision on consumers, hence the truce between both telecom giants.

“The commission is pleased to announce that the parties have now reached an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them.

” For this reason, and in the exercise of its regulatory powers in that regard, the commission has put the phased disconnection on hold for 21 days from today, January 17, 2024.

“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 that prioritizes and protects consumer interests and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network.

“While 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 the regulatory obligations of all licensees.”

PersecondNews recalls that Globacom subscribers will not be able to make calls to MTN lines soon due to the non-settlement of interconnect charges.

The Commission disclosed this on January 8 in a public notice signed by Director, Public Affairs Department, Reuben Muoka. It stated that it granted partial approval for the disconnection of Globacom from MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

He said: “Globacom was notified of the application made by MTN and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case.

“The commission, having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, determined that Globacom does not have sufficient or justifiable reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.”