The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorized the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Limited from MTN Nigeria Communications Limited. This action is a result of Exchange Telecom’s failure to pay outstanding interconnect charges, which have accumulated over time.
The interconnect charges are fees that telecommunications operators are required to pay each other for connecting calls between their networks. These fees are crucial for ensuring smooth communication between different service providers. However, Exchange Telecom has not met its financial obligations to MTN, leading the NCC to step in and enforce the disconnection.
The NCC’s decision highlights its commitment to maintaining financial discipline and accountability within the Nigerian telecommunications industry. It also serves as a reminder to telecom operators about the importance of settling outstanding dues promptly to avoid disruptions in services.
The commission clarified that the disconnection will remain in place until further notice.
According to the website of Exchange Telecoms, the company is the only carrier currently transiting international calls originating from all the Mobile Network Operators (MNO) networks in Nigeria to A-Z destinations abroad.
Exchange is also connected to the major MNOs in Nigeria and carries the most minutes for each of them. With the disconnection of services between the two telecom giants, MTN will utilize alternative channels to interconnect with other Network Service Providers.
