The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured telecom consumers that ongoing industry-wide investments and regulatory interventions aimed at improving quality of service are beginning to yield measurable results across the country.
In a statement the Commission acknowledged growing public concerns over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services, and other network disruptions affecting subscribers in different parts of Nigeria.
According to the NCC, telecommunications services have become critical to daily life, business, education, and access to essential services, stressing that consumers deserve reliable and value-driven service delivery.
The Commission disclosed that improving Quality of Service (QoS) has remained a major regulatory priority over the past two years, with intensified monitoring of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and Tower Companies.
It revealed that in 2025 alone, Mobile Network Operators invested more than N2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades, while Tower Companies committed an additional N373.8 billion to expand and modernise telecom infrastructure nationwide.
The investments, according to the NCC, supported the addition and upgrade of over 2,800 telecom sites across the country, including deployment of faster 4G and 5G technologies, expansion of fibre backhaul infrastructure, and rollout of services to underserved communities.
The Commission further disclosed that the expansion drive is continuing in 2026, with operators committing to deploy and upgrade more than 12,000 additional sites within the year. It added that close to 3,000 sites had already been completed, while over 730 new 5G sites have been deployed across 27 states.
To improve network efficiency, the NCC also facilitated the reallocation and optimisation of underutilised radio spectrum among major telecom operators in line with its Spectrum Trading Guidelines.
The Commission noted that recent Quality of Service assessments indicate gradual improvements in network capacity, coverage, and average internet download speeds. It stated that 4G penetration has increased from 45 per cent in January 2024 to 54 per cent currently, while national median download speeds rose from 16.5Mbps to 20Mbps within the same period.
The NCC, however, admitted that service quality challenges still persist in several locations and stressed that operators must accelerate improvements, particularly in areas experiencing congestion, poor call quality, and unstable connectivity.
The Commission also identified vandalism, fibre cuts, power disruptions, theft of telecom equipment, and denial of access to infrastructure sites as major external factors affecting network performance.
It disclosed that more than 27,000 fibre-cut incidents linked mainly to road construction activities and vandalism were recorded in 2025 alone.
To address the problem, the NCC said it is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to enforce the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure and curb infrastructure vandalism.
The Commission further stated that operators have now been mandated to notify consumers promptly whenever major service outages occur and restore affected services within specified timelines.
The NCC warned that enforcement actions against operators failing to meet required service standards would continue under the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024.
Reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection, the Commission called on governments, communities, and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for sustained investment in the sector.
“The expectation is clear: the industry must now deliver measurable improvements, and the Commission will continue to enforce compliance in the interest of consumers and the wider economy,” the statement added.
Reporting By Chioma Ezike