Glo Subscribers to Face Call Disruptions to MTN Lines
Globacom subscribers are set to face disruptions in making calls to MTN lines, following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s disclosure on Monday.
In a public notice signed by Director of Public Affairs Department, Reuben Muoka, and seen by Excel Magazine International, the NCC granted partial approval for the disconnection of Globacom from MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
Globacom was informed of MTN’s application and given an opportunity to respond, but the NCC found insufficient justification for Globacom’s non-payment of interconnect charges.
As of 10 days from this notice, Globacom subscribers will lose the ability to make calls to MTN, while still being able to receive calls. In-bound calls to the Globacom network, however, will remain unaffected.
This isn’t the first time Glo subscribers face disconnection from MTN; a similar incident occurred in 2019 over a N4bn debt.
In December 2018, the NCC allowed mobile network operators to disconnect others due to increasing interconnect debts. The total disconnect fee in the industry then was approximately N165bn.
According to an MTN source, Glo currently owes about N6bn in interconnect fees. Despite ongoing efforts to obtain Glo’s response, the company is yet to comment on the matter.
As of August 2023, Glo had 61.39 million mobile subscriptions. The NCC notice specifies that from January 18, 2024, these lines will be unable to make calls to MTN numbers.
