In response to recent reports of indebtedness to MTN, Globacom Ltd, a Nigerian Telecommunications Company, has denied owing any interconnect charges to MTN.
Contrary to earlier speculations, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Globacom has paid the alleged outstanding amount of N1.6 billion.
The denial follows the circulation of a public pre-disconnection notice by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), signed by Reuben Muoka, the director of Public Affairs.
The notice, posted on the commission’s Twitter page, hinted at the possible partial disconnection of Globacom from MTN due to alleged non-compliance in debt payment.
According to a Glo official who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the reports claiming that Glo owes MTN interconnect charges are false.
The official went on to clarify that there is no outstanding payment owed to MTN for any interconnect charges.
The official statement noted the contributions of Globacom in Nigeria, particularly in the introduction of the pay-per-second billing model.
This innovative approach to billing has had a major impact on the industry, providing customers with greater flexibility and control over their spending while also disrupting the long-standing monopoly of foreign companies in the market.
Globacom brought about a new standard for pricing transparency and customer satisfaction, enhancing the future of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.
The initial report from the NCC suggested that the regulatory body had officially sanctioned a partial disconnection of Globacom from MTN, citing a lack of cooperation in debt payment as the primary reason.
This move was in line with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and Paragraph 9 of the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.
However, the NCC allowed Globacom an opportunity to present its case, and following a thorough examination, it was determined that Globacom had not provided sufficient or justifiable reasons for its alleged outstanding debts.
As a result, the NCC decided to enforce compliance through the implementation of partial disconnection.