Telecom
MTN Seeks Amicable Resolution of Industrial Dispute
MTN Nigeria, telecommunication giant, the has reiterated its desire to pursuing amicable resolution of the industrial disputes with some members of staff.
Mr Funso Aina, Public Relations manager, Corporate Affairs/Corporate Relations, MTN, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
According to him, the events of this week have been difficult and disruptive. However, this has in no way impacted our continued commitment to our people, our customers and this great nation.
“All of us at MTN want to express our sincere gratitude to you for standing by us during this challenging time.
“Over the years, we have engaged productively with representatives of labour unions who reached out, holding numerous extensive meetings.
“We will continue to do so, pursuing amicable resolutions in our negotiations with organised labour and the safety and welfare of our employees will remain our primary concern during these discussions,” Aina said.
The MTN spokesperson said the organisation understood its responsibilities to customers, workers and the society.
He said that the rights of all MTN employees were paramount adding that the organisation would consistently ensure that these rights were protected.
“This includes the fundamental human right to freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
“Our ethos is not to coerce our employees to do anything against their will. We have no objections to our employees forming a collective, through a union, or choosing not to do so.
“In fact, MTN has an Employee Council made up of officers below Management cadre. Council members are democratically-elected representatives who ensure that labour-related issues are addressed.
“We do not engage in casualness. All our employees have full-time employment contracts.
“To enable our organisation to focus on delivering our core services and in alignment with global best practice, we engage licensed, specialised service providers to support our operations.
“We provide working conditions in line with international best practice. All employees earn well above minimum wage.
They have access to a minimum of 20 paid leave days annually, flexible working hours, four months paid maternity leave and fully funded pensions.
“They have mortgage subsidies and group medical cover with international emergency evacuation for employees and their immediate dependents.
“These are just some of the benefits that contribute to making MTN a great place to work,” he said.
Various stakeholders, including Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria and Nigeria Communications Commission are presently involved in talk.
Aina however, called for cessation of attacks on MTN’s employees or damage to the network and property.
He said the firm expects its employees’ rights to associate freely and without coercion would be respected.
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC has announced that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the renewal of the spectrum lease agreement between MTN Nigeria and Natcom Development and Investment Limited (NTEL).
Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary in a statement released recently said that the agreement covers the lease of NTEL’s 5MHz frequency division duplex (FDD) in the 900MHz spectrum band and 10MHz FDD in the 1800MHz spectrum band, which spans 19 states.
The renewal is for another two-year period, effective 1 May 2025. Additionally, the NCC has approved a one-year lease expansion of the spectrums, covering the remaining 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), effective 1 January 2025.
Commenting on the transactions, MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola said, “We are pleased with the renewal of the spectrum lease agreement with NTEL, which now includes coverage for all states, including the FCT.
“The lease enables us to enhance our 3G and 4G user experience as we improve coverage and capacity by utilising the spectrums.
“This positions us to capitalise on the growing demand for data and improve the delivery of services to our customers.”
Nigeria’s technology company, Globacom, has extended warm felicitations to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebrations.
In a goodwill message released in Lagos, Globacom urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of love and kindness during the festive season, especially in the face of prevailing economic challenges.
The company emphasized the importance of practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the virtues of obedience to God and loving one’s neighbor as well.
“Christ taught many virtues including obedience to God and loving one’s neighbour as oneself”, the company said, adding, “Now is the apt time to practise these teachings by sharing with the needy”.
Globacom also encouraged Nigerians to extend the conviviality of Christmas beyond the festive season by fostering love, peace, and harmony, as demonstrated by God through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Assuring its customers of uninterrupted services throughout the Yuletide period and beyond, Globacom urged them to take advantage of its innovative products and services to stay connected and share the memories of the season with loved ones.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators to settle the long-standing N250bn USSD debt dispute before January 2, 2025.
The CBN and NCC also directed banks to pay the pre-Application Programming Interfaces (API) debt before July 2, 2025.
They also ordered that post-API debts be settled before December 31, 2024.
The directive was issued in a joint cirular titled, “2nd Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission on the Resolution of the USSD Debt Issue Between Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators.”
The circular dated December 20, 2024, was signed by Oladimeji Taiwo, acting director of the Payments System Management Department, CBN, and Chizua Whyte, head of Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC.
The regulators said, “In view of the foregoing, the CBN and the NCC hereby direct DMBs and MNOs as follows: 1. That 60 per cent of all pre-API invoices must be paid as full and final settlement.
“Payment plans (lump sum or installments) must be agreed upon between a concerned DMB and MNO by January 2, 2025. Installments must be based on equal monthly payments, with full payment due by July 2, 2025.
“DMBs must pay 85 per cent of all outstanding invoices issued after the implementation of APIs (i.e., February 2022) by December 31, 2024.
“Similarly, 85 per cent of future invoices must be liquidated within one month of service.”
According to the regulators, the transition to end-user billing will be activated only for DMBs and MNOs that comply with the payment conditions cobtained in the circular.
CBN and the NCC said they would provide further guidance on public enlightenment initiatives related to the transition.
The regulators also directed MNOs to implement the “10-seconds rule” for USSD invoicing.
This implies that any session lasting less than ten seconds will not be billable.
The regulators added, “Failure to comply with the terms outlined in this directive will attract necessary sanctions, ensuring that both DMBs and MNOs uphold their obligations.”
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