The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that it has granted approval for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN) due to the non-settlement of interconnect charges.
The NCC noted in its statement, “In accordance with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and the Guidelines for the Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012, Exchange was duly notified of the application for disconnection and provided with an opportunity to present its case. After a thorough examination of the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, the Commission determined that Exchange did not present sufficient justification for non-payment of the interconnect charges.”
As a result, the NCC has taken the following actions:
- Approval of Disconnection: The Commission has approved the disconnection of Exchange from MTN, in line with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and relevant guidelines.
- Disconnection Timeline: Effective five (5) days from the date of this notice, MTN will cease passing voice and data traffic through Exchange. MTN will subsequently utilize alternative channels for interconnection with other Network Service Providers.
This disconnection will remain in effect until further notice, as determined by the Commission.
The NCC remains committed to ensuring compliance with industry standards and promoting a fair and sustainable telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.
