NCC Assures Nigerians of Improved Telecom Services Amid Massive Network Expansion

The Nigerian Communications Commission has assured Nigerians that ongoing efforts by telecom operators and regulators to address persistent Quality of Service challenges across the country are beginning to yield results, amid growing public frustration over dropped calls, slow internet speeds and unstable data services.

In a statement signed by Nnena Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs, on May 13, 2026, the Commission acknowledged the inconvenience experienced by consumers and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring reliable and affordable telecommunications services nationwide.

According to the Commission, improving Quality of Service has remained a major regulatory priority over the past two years, with intensified oversight of Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers and Tower Companies.

The NCC disclosed that the telecommunications sector is currently undergoing one of its largest network expansion and modernization phases in recent years, following what it described as a prolonged period of under investment.

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 improve services across the country.

The investments supported the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecommunications sites nationwide, targeting coverage gaps, network congestion and service instability in several communities.

According to the Commission, the interventions include expansion of 4G and 5G coverage, fibre backhaul upgrades, deployment of infrastructure in underserved areas and modernization of aging network equipment.

The NCC said the expansion drive has continued into 2026, with industry players committing to deploy or upgrade more than 12,000 sites this year. It added that nearly 3,000 sites have already been completed, while over 730 new 5G sites have been deployed across 27 states.

The Commission also disclosed that it facilitated the reallocation and restructuring of underutilized radio spectrum among major operators to improve network efficiency, capacity and service delivery.

According to its Quality of Service assessments, conducted through field and crowdsourced analytics, measurable improvements are beginning to emerge in network performance across several parts of the country.

The NCC stated that national median download speeds improved from 16.5Mbps in January 2024 to 20Mbps currently, while 4G penetration increased from 45 percent to 54 percent within the same period.

It further noted that power availability at telecom towers improved from a national average of 99.3 percent in January 2025 to 99.7 percent presently.

Despite the progress, the Commission admitted that consumers in some areas still experience poor call quality, slow data services and network congestion, stressing that operators must accelerate improvements.

The Commission also highlighted persistent threats affecting network stability, including fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of telecom equipment and disruptions linked to road construction projects.

According to the NCC, more than 27,000 avoidable fibre cut incidents were recorded nationwide in 2025 alone, significantly impacting network availability and consumer experience.

To tackle the challenge, the Commission 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 vandalism and theft targeting telecom assets.

The NCC also said it has directed telecom operators to notify consumers promptly whenever major service outages occur and restore services within specified timelines.

It noted that major service disruptions are now being tracked publicly through its outage reporting portal.

The Commission warned that it has already commenced enforcement of the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024, including consumer compensation measures and additional investment obligations for operators that fail to meet performance standards.

According to the regulator, operators and Tower Companies were granted a transition period to procure and install equipment needed to improve service delivery nationwide, but stressed that the grace period has ended.

“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 said.

The NCC called on federal and state governments, host communities and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting telecommunications infrastructure and enabling sustained investment in Nigeria’s digital economy.