Abiodun JIMOH
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorized the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN) due to non-payment of interconnect charges.
In a statement issued by the Commission, Exchange was notified of the debt issue and given an opportunity to respond. However, after reviewing the case, the NCC determined that Exchange did not provide sufficient justification for the unpaid charges.
As a result, the NCC has granted approval for MTN to cease transmitting voice and data traffic through Exchange. The disconnection is set to take effect five days from the notice’s publication date, after which MTN will utilize alternative interconnection channels to connect with other network providers.
This action is in line with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the Guidelines for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.
The NCC clarified that the disconnection will remain in place until further directives are issued by the Commission. It reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing compliance and ensuring a financially accountable telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.
Telecommunications users and industry stakeholders have been urged to stay informed about the implications of this decision.
