The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved Globacom’s partial severance from MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, which may interrupt communication services for users. This decision is based on Globacom’s claimed failure to settle interconnect charges.
A public notice released on Monday, signed by Reuben Muoka, the NCC Director of Public Affairs Department, outlined the details of the impending partial disconnection. According to the notice, subscribers of Globacom will face restrictions in making calls to MTN numbers, while they will still be able to receive incoming calls. This measure is scheduled to take effect after a 10-day grace period from the date of the notice.
The public notice from the NCC reads, “The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby notifies the public and subscribers of Globacom Limited (Globacom) that approval has been granted for the partial disconnection of Globacom from MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. due to non-settlement of interconnect charges.”
“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.”
The notice further specifies that the partial disconnection is 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.
“At the expiration of 10 (ten) days from the date of this notice, 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 the Globacom network. Please note that this disconnection will subsist until otherwise determined by the Commission.”
