Globacom users will retain the ability to call MTN lines for an additional 21 days, as announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission. The commission has extended the previously planned restriction of Glo subscribers from calling MTN lines for the same duration. The decision was conveyed in a statement released on Thursday morning by Reuben Mouka, the Director of Public Affairs, as a follow-up to the Pre-Disconnection Notice issued on January 8, 2024. The initial notice had approved MTN Nigerian Communications Plc. to initiate the phased disconnection of Globacom Limited starting January 18, 2024, owing to a prolonged interconnection debt dispute between the two entities.

In its extension announcement, the NCC declared, "The Commission is delighted to inform that the involved parties have now come to an agreement to address and resolve all outstanding issues between them. Consequently, exercising its regulatory authority, the commission has temporarily suspended the planned phased disconnection for a period of 21 days starting from today, January 17, 2024.

"While anticipating that MTN and Glo will resolve all pending matters within this 21-day timeframe, the commission emphasizes that settling interconnect debts is imperative for all operating companies as an essential requirement for complying with the regulatory obligations of every licensee."

Highlighting potential repercussions for consumers, the NCC observed that its authorization for disconnection could have consequences. Emphasizing this in the extension announcement, the commission underscored the obligation for Mobile Network Operators and other licensees in the telecom industry to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions specified in their licenses, particularly those outlined in their interconnection agreements.

The commission is poised to offer guidance to Globacom subscribers regarding the subsequent steps after the conclusion of a 10-day grace period, during which their lines were at risk of being barred from making calls to MTN lines.

Muoka stated on Wednesday, "We will release information on that, most likely today, in the next few hours."

Providing additional context on the matter during a media briefing on Thursday, the recently appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, commented, "The commission has intervened with the primary focus on the consumer. The critical aspect is that both parties are at the negotiating table, demonstrating a commitment to resolving the issues within the next 21 days."

He indicated that the commission was in the process of establishing a framework for a lasting resolution to the interconnect debt issue within the industry.

In his statement, he highlighted the commission's strategic focus on enhancing the quality of experience for telecommunications consumers and aiming to reduce the necessity for a dual SIM setup in the country.

Interconnect charge refers to the fee telecom operators pay each other for calls terminating on their networks. MTN and Glo have been in dispute over this fee for a considerable period. In 2019, MTN temporarily disconnected Glo subscribers due to a N4 billion debt.

A source close to Glo has since reported that the telecom company has made the payment. “We paid last week Thursday within the allowed window. So, it is surprising that this is happening. We have settled outstanding payments already.”