Interconnect Debt: NCC Says MTN Can Disconnect Glo Lines, Issues 10 Days Warning

The Nigerian Communications Commission has granted MTN Nigeria the approval to partially disconnect Globacom subscribers from its network.

The Nigerian telecommunications regulator granted this approval due to the non-settlement of the interconnect charges.

Following this approval, Globacom subscribers will be unable to make calls to MTN lines soon.

Interconnect charges are prices each telco pays for calls terminating on their network. For instance, when a call is initiated from Glo and ends on the MTN network, the sum Glo pays MTN for terminating the call, is termed interconnect charges or rates.

The commission said, “Globacom was notified of the application made by MTN and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case. Having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, the commission determined that Globacom does not have sufficient or justifiable reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.”

Furthermore, the Nigerian Communications Commission disclosed that at the expiration of 10 days from this notice, “subscribers of Globacom will no longer be able to make calls to MTN but will be able to receive calls”.

Under this partial disconnection, Globacom subscribers will only be able to receive calls from MTN users, not initiate them. All other network functionalities, including outgoing calls to other networks and data services, will remain operational for Globacom customers.