It is not every day that matters like this get to a head as they almost did recently when the Nigerian Communications Commission, the NCC, granted MTN’s prayer to disconnect Glo subscribers in view of long-standing interconnect debts. But on the eve of the date, succour came the way of Glo subscribers as the NCC, further wading into the matter, has granted a 3-week window within which the issue is expected to have been fully settled.
In a press release signed by the NCC Director of Communications, Reuben Muoka, the commencement of the phased disconnection earlier billed to begin on the 18th of January, 2024, has now been postponed by three weeks to ensure the parties reach an amicable resolution that guarantees continued interconnectivity between both telecom networks.
The news release, citing positive feedback from the feuding parties announced that both organisations “have now reached (an) agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them”. For which reason the NCC has approved stay of action for the time being.
With all the issues in Nigeria at the moment, it would not have helped, and NCC knew this full well, that network interconnectivity joins the avalanche giving Nigerians nightmares.
But the Commission was firm in its insistence that “interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with regulatory obligations of all licensees. It is OBLIGATORY that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements”.
As regulatory body, that last bit was necessary and its application as the need arises would only help ensure that the industry operates at optimal level. Debts are inevitable in business but a mindset to repayment helps gain and retain trust while as well keeping the wheels rolling at every tier of the value chain.
