The Nigerian Communications Commission says efforts to address poor telecom service quality are producing results, citing increased investment and infrastructure upgrades across the industry.
In a statement on Wednesday, NCC Head of Public Affairs Nnenna Ukoha acknowledged consumer frustrations over dropped calls, slow internet speeds and unstable data connections. She said reliable service was critical for business, education, healthcare and social interaction.
The commission said improving Quality of Service has been a regulatory priority for the past two years, with closer monitoring of mobile network operators, internet service providers and tower companies. It also pointed to expanded collaboration with public institutions to tackle structural challenges.
According to the NCC, operators invested over ₦2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025, while tower companies added ₦373.8 billion. The investments supported the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecom sites nationwide. The rollout included 4G and 5G infrastructure, expanded fibre backhaul, upgrades in high-demand urban areas and services to underserved communities.
The expansion has continued into 2026, with operators planning to deploy and upgrade over 12,000 sites. Nearly 3,000 have been completed so far, including more than 730 new 5G sites across 27 states.
The NCC said it also facilitated the reallocation of underused spectrum among operators to improve efficiency and capacity.
Latest assessments show gradual improvements in coverage, capacity and internet speeds. 4G penetration rose from 45% in January 2024 to 54% currently, while median download speeds increased from 16.5Mbps to 20Mbps. Power availability at telecom sites improved from 99.3% to 99.7% between January 2025 and now.
The commission admitted challenges remain in areas facing congestion, poor call quality and unstable connections. It said it was advancing plans for a wholesale broadband market to help smaller providers expand access and lower costs, in line with Project BRIDGE and other digital infrastructure initiatives.
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The NCC cited vandalism, fibre cuts, theft, power issues and denial of access as persistent problems. It recorded over 27,000 fibre-cut incidents in 2025, mostly linked to road works and vandalism, and said it was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to enforce the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure.
Under updated Quality of Service Regulations gazetted in July 2024, operators must notify subscribers of major outages and restore service within set timelines. Enforcement measures introduced since November 2025 include consumer compensation for poor service and additional investment obligations for tower companies with performance failures.
The commission warned that operators failing to show measurable improvements face further sanctions. It called on governments and host communities to help protect telecom infrastructure and support sustained investment.
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