BREAKING NEWS: THE NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ISSUES PRE-DISCONNECTION NOTICE TO MTN USERS

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 8, 2024. The notice states that MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has been approved to partially disconnect Globacom Limited from its network due to non-settlement of interconnect charges.

This means that after 10 days from the date of the notice, Globacom subscribers will no longer be able to make calls to MTN. However, they will still be able to receive calls. The partial disconnection will not affect inbound calls to the Globacom network.

The NCC says that the disconnection will subsist until otherwise determined by the commission.

This is not the first time that the NCC has approved a partial disconnection of a telecommunications operator in Nigeria. In 2018, the commission approved Airtel Networks Limited to partially disconnect Globacom from its network for the same reason.

The NCC’s guidelines on the procedure for approving to disconnect telecommunications operators state that a pre-disconnection notice must be given to the public and to the subscribers of the operator that is to be disconnected. The notice must state the reason for the disconnection and the date it will take effect.

The NCC says that it takes the decision to disconnect a telecommunications operator very seriously and only does so as a last resort. The commission says that it is committed to protecting the interests of consumers and that it will continue to work to ensure that all telecommunications operators in Nigeria meet their obligations.

Globacom subscribers brace for disruption as MTN partially disconnects them from its network starting 18th January 2024. This drastic measure comes after Globacom failed to settle outstanding interconnect charges.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted MTN partial disconnection rights, meaning Globacom users will only be able to receive calls on the MTN network, not make them. This standoff stems from unpaid fees incurred when calls are passed between networks.

This isn’t the first disconnection saga in Nigeria’s telecom landscape. In 2018, Airtel took similar action against Globacom for the same reason. The NCC emphasizes that disconnection is a last resort to protect consumer interests and ensure operators fulfill their obligations.

The partial cut-off leaves Globacom subscribers with two options: either settle outstanding bills with their network provider or find alternative ways to reach MTN users. Negotiations between the two networks are ongoing, but as of now, the January 18th disconnect stands.