₦airaland Forum

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. from MTN Nigeria's network over the non-settlement of interconnect charges.

In a public notice issued Friday and signed by the NCC’s Public Affairs Director, Reuben Muoka, the commission explained that the action would remain in effect until further notice.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby notifies the public that approval has been granted for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. (MTN) as a result of non-settlement of interconnect charges,” the statement read.


Exchange Telecommunications Faces Regulatory Action

Exchange Telecommunications, a local and international interconnect carrier, was informed of the application and given an opportunity to present its case. However, after reviewing the circumstances and the company’s explanations, the NCC determined that Exchange failed to provide sufficient justification for its inability to pay the charges.

The disconnection aligns with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.

Timeline for Disconnection

The NCC announced that MTN Nigeria would cease routing voice and data traffic through Exchange Telecommunications five days from the date of the notice.

“At the expiration of 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,” the NCC stated.

Regulatory Oversight

This decision underscores the NCC’s commitment to ensuring compliance with financial and operational obligations in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. It also highlights the commission's enforcement of interconnectivity standards to maintain seamless service for consumers.

TooMuchStuff:
Wahala plenty for Naija

SmartPolician:
Who still makes international voice calls when you have apps that allow you make such calls? I hope MTN has sorted out its alternative before the disconnection to avoid service disruptions.

TooMuchStuff:
Wahala plenty for Naija

kossyablaze:
Smh... Despite the large profit after tax MTN makes, they still fumble, disregard the constituted authorities and disobey the laws

Krak:
Read the news again then review this your comment.

nedekid:
Not all calls you can use app. Eg you want to call your bank, you need to reach paypay or some utility company abroad. Omo you will load 10k and see it disappear. God help you if you don't load enough and the conversation cuts because of insufficient airtime then you have to recharge an start afresh to explain your matter again to a different customer care that picks.

SmartPolician:
Who still makes international voice calls when you have apps that allow you make such calls? I hope MTN has sorted out its alternative before the disconnection to avoid service disruptions.

ungara17:
Pay charges or stop operation. Simple.
How can you be making such money as the network with the highest subscribers without paying charges.
I stand with NCC

otipoju:
Did you read the article. If yes do you understand it? I ask because they are talking A and you are talking B.

MTN was authorized to discuss disconnect another service provider that owes it money for and has and does not want to pay.
No be say MTN owe government money

Editorialtimes:
Source: The Bureau Newspaper

ungara17:
Pay charges or stop operation. Simple.
How can you be making such money as the network with the highest subscribers without paying charges.
I stand with NCC

9jvirgin:
As long as Tevilnubu is the president, nothing good can be heard of Nigeria.