The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorized the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN) due to outstanding interconnect charges.
Exchange Telecommunications, according to its website, is the only carrier transiting international calls originating from all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria to destinations worldwide. The company is also connected to the major MNOs in Nigeria, handling a significant volume of their minutes.
A statement issued by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, confirmed the disconnection, citing compliance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the 2012 Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators.
The statement read:
“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.
“Exchange was notified of the application and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case. The Commission, having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, determined that Exchange does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.”MTN is expected to cease passing voice and data traffic through Exchange within five days of the notice and will rely on alternative channels to connect with other network service providers.
The disconnection will remain in effect until further directives are issued by the NCC.
