By Favour Unukaso
THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications limited from MTN over interconnect debt.
Interconnect debt is the accumulation of stipulated amount of money recorded over a period of time for all telecoms calls that were generated from one network and terminated on another network.
NCC in a public notice on Friday, notified the public that approval has been granted for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN) as a result of non-settlement of interconnect charges.
The telecoms regulator said Exchange was notified of the application and was given opportunity to comment and state its case.
In the notice, signed by NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, the telecoms regulator said: “The Commission, having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, determined that Exchange does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.
“The public is, therefore, requested to take notice that: “The Commission has approved the Disconnection of Exchange to MTN in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.
“At the expiration of 5 (Five) days from the date of this notice, MTN will discontinue passing voice and data traffic through Exchange and will, thereafter, utilise alternative channels in interconnecting with other Network Service Providers.”
Checks showed that as of the beginning of 2024, about N70 billion interconnect debt currently rocks Nigeria’s telecoms sector. This has been a running battle between MNOs; interconnect clearing houses, exchange points among others.