The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has okayed the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. from the MTN Nigeria network due to non-payment of interconnect charges. This decision was announced in a public notification issued by NCC Public Affairs Director, Reuben Muoka, on Friday.
“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,” NCC said.
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No sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges
The Exchange was notified of the application and given the chance to comment and present its case, the commission noted.
It stated that after reviewing the case and the facts underlying the debt, the commission concluded that the Exchange lacked enough justification to refuse to pay the interconnect fees.
NCC stated that the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications from MTN was in compliance with the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012, as well as Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
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“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.
“Please note that this disconnection will subsist until otherwise determined by the commission,” it said.