Airtel, the second-largest network provider in Nigeria is set to disconnect Globacom’s network over a prolonged interconnect debt. This has been approved by the country’s telecom regulator- Nigeria Communication Commission and will take effect on the 28th of October 2019.
Interconnect is the process of handling calls for other service providers. It allows the customers of one service provider to communicate with the customers of another. The billing for such service is what is referred to as the Interconnected bill and is remitted through the NCC-Licensed clearinghouse.
If Airtel goes through with the disconnection plan, Glo users will not be able to call Airtel Network nor send SMS. They can, however, receive calls from the Airtel while users will be able to call Glo Network.
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The battle on non-remittance of the interconnect bill by Globacom began earlier this year with MTN being the first telecom to accuse Globacom of sidelining payment. It was in the same light that Airtel brought the same allegation and will block Glo users from calling its network.
The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Henry Nkemadu stated that the regulatory commission has examined Airtel’s application and has given them the go-ahead to disconnect Glo, as there are no objective reasons for non-compliance.
The approval to disconnect is in inline with section 100 of the Nigeria Communication Act of 2003. The full disconnection of Globacom users by Airtel will begin in 10 days.
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