NCC grants MTN approval to disconnect Exchange Telecommunications over debt

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited from MTN Nigeria network due to the non-settlement of interconnect charges.

The NCC made this known in a public notice signed by its Public Affairs Director, Reuben Muoka, on Friday, December 27, 2024.

The Exchange Telecommunications is a local and international interconnect carrier.

The NCC stated: “The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby notifies 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 commission noted that the Exchange was notified of the application and was given opportunity to comment and state its case.

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It said the commission, having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, determined that the Exchange does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.

The NCC noted that the disconnection of the Exchange Telecommunications from MTN was in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.

It added: “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.”

The Star