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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorized MTN Nigeria to disconnect Exchange Telecommunications over unpaid interconnect charges. Despite being notified and given a chance to respond, Exchange failed to settle its debt. MTN will now use alternative channels for interconnection, with disconnection lasting until further notice.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted MTN Nigeria approval to disconnect Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. from its network due to the company’s failure to settle outstanding interconnect charges. The decision was confirmed in a public notice issued by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Public Affairs Director, on Friday.

Exchange Telecommunications, which serves as both a local and international interconnect carrier, was notified of the application and allowed to comment. However, the NCC found that Exchange did not provide sufficient justification for its failure to clear the debt.

The commission’s decision was based on Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, along with the Guidelines on the Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012. According to the notice, the disconnection will take effect five days from the publication of the notice. MTN will cease passing both voice and data traffic through Exchange Telecommunications and will instead use alternative channels for interconnection with other providers.

The NCC emphasized that the disconnection would remain in place until further developments arise, signaling the seriousness with which it views the matter. Industry insiders suggest that this action could have broader implications for the telecommunications sector in Nigeria, particularly for companies that are behind on interconnect payments, given the regulatory framework supporting such decisions.