NCC says telecoms investment is improving network…- TheConclaveNg

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, says ongoing investments by telecoms operators are producing measurable improvements in network quality, but has warned it will continue to enforce standards until consumers see consistent service.

In a statement on Wednesday, NCC Head of Public Affairs Nnenna Ukoha said the commission remains committed to ensuring “reliable, affordable and high-quality telecommunications services” for all Nigerians. The reassurance comes amid continuing public complaints about dropped calls, slow internet speeds and unstable data connections.

Ukoha said improving service quality has been the commission’s central regulatory priority for the past two years. During that period, the NCC intensified its monitoring of mobile network operators, internet service providers and tower companies, while deepening collaboration with other public institutions to address structural barriers.

The commission said the sector is in one of the most extensive expansion and modernization cycles in recent years. In 2025 alone, operators invested over ₦2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades, and tower companies added ₦373.8 billion. The spending supported the addition and upgrades of more than 2,800 sites nationwide, including new 4G and 5G layers, expanded fiber backhaul and deployments in underserved areas.

Expansion will continue into 2026, with a commitment to add and upgrade more than 12,000 sites. Nearly 3,000 have been built so far, and more than 730 new 5G sites have been deployed in 27 states this year.

To improve efficiency, the NCC said it has facilitated the reallocation of idle and underutilized spectrum among the three major operators under its Spectrum Trading Guidelines, rearranging spectrum blocks to provide operators with contiguous bands.

According to the Commission’s assessments of quality of service and quality of experience, network capacity, coverage and average download speed are gradually improving. 4G penetration rose from 45% in January 2024 to 54% today, while the national median download speed increased from 16.5 Mbps to 20 Mbps. Power availability at telecom towers also improved from 99.3% in January 2025 to 99.7%.

The NCC said gains were most visible where upgrades and new sites had been completed, but stressed that the pace must pick up in areas still facing poor call quality, congestion and instability.

To expand broadband access, the commission is finalizing a market study to create a wholesale segment that will allow smaller Internet service providers to offer cheaper services. The move complements the BRIDGE project and other government efforts to deepen fiber penetration.

The Commission is also addressing persistent threats to infrastructure. In 2025, more than 27,000 avoidable fiber cuts were recorded nationwide, mostly due to roadworks and vandalism. The NCC said it is working with the Office of the National Security Advisor to enforce the Presidential Order on National Critical Information Infrastructure and with federal and state ministries to reduce cutbacks during construction.

Regarding transparency, operators are now required to notify consumers of major disruptions and restore services within set timescales. Major incidents are recorded on the NCC’s Major Network Outage Reporting Portal.

Enforcement of the updated 2024 Quality of Service rules began in November 2025. The measures include compensation for consumers for poor service and additional investment obligations for tower companies with performance issues. The commission said enforcement will continue and regulatory action will intensify where operators fail to deliver measurable improvements.

The NCC thanked the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the National Assembly and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their support, but said that improving the quality of service requires a whole-of-society effort. He called on federal, state and local governments, as well as host communities, to protect infrastructure and facilitate access for maintenance.

“The expectation is clear,” Ukoha said. “The industry must now make measurable improvements and the Commission will continue to ensure compliance in the interests of consumers and the wider economy.”

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