Telecommunications giants, Globacom Limited (Glo) and MTN Communications PLC (MTN), have resolved the interconnect debt dispute between them.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) made this known in a release, “RE: Pre-Disconnection Notice: Glo, MTN Resolve Interconnect Debt Dispute.
The telecommunications regulatory agency stated in the release by its Director, Public Affairs, Rueben Muoka, that the companies amicably resolved the dispute.
Following the resolution of the debt dispute, the initial approval granted MTN to disconnect Glo has been withdrawn.
NCC had earlier intervened in the debt dispute, and issued a public notice granting an approval to MTN to disconnect Glo from its services.
It subsequently further intervened by mediating between the two parties and facilitating the reconciliation process.
The regulatory agency took the mediating initiative with the aim of mitigating any potential disruptions to subscribers.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce that the interconnect debt dispute between MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN) and Globacom Limited (Globacom) has been amicably resolved.
“In accordance with this resolution, the disconnection approval granted to MTN for the disconnection of Globacom has now been withdrawn.
“Following its initial public notice, the Commission, with the aim of mitigating any potential disruptions to subscribers, undertook further regulatory intervention, by mediating between the parties and facilitating the reconciliation process,” it was stated in the release.
NCC however restated that it would always ensure strict adherence to the terms and conditions of licenses within the telecommunications industry.
“The Commission reiterates that strict adherence to the terms and conditions of licenses, particularly those delineated in interconnection agreements, is imperative for all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees within the telecommunications industry,” it stated.
It also announced that steps would be taken in order to proactively address and prevent future instances of interconnect debt within the industry.
“In order to proactively address and prevent future instances of interconnect indebtedness within the industry, the Commission will be requesting relevant records and regular updates from MNOs, as well as adopting a transparent approach towards industry indebtedness.
“This statement serves as a reminder of the Commission’s commitment to fostering a stable and compliant telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria,” NCC added in the release.