The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC says ongoing industry-wide investments and regulatory interventions aimed at improving telecommunications service quality across Nigeria are beginning to deliver measurable results, even as challenges affecting network performance persist in some parts of the country.
In a statement addressing recent public concerns over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services and other service disruptions, the Commission acknowledged the frustrations experienced by consumers and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Nigerians receive reliable and high-quality telecommunications services.
According to the NCC, improving Quality of Service has remained a major regulatory priority over the past two years, with intensified monitoring of Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers and Tower Companies, alongside increased data-driven oversight and engagement with relevant institutions to address structural challenges affecting service delivery.
The Commission disclosed that the telecommunications sector is currently witnessing one of its most extensive network expansion and modernisation phases in recent years following what it described as a prolonged period of under-investment.
It revealed that Mobile Network Operators invested over N2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025, while Tower Companies committed an additional N373.8 billion towards expanding and improving telecommunications infrastructure nationwide.
The investments, according to the NCC, supported the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecom sites across the country to address network coverage and capacity gaps.
The Commission explained that the interventions include deployment of additional 4G and 5G infrastructure, expansion of fibre backhaul systems, targeted upgrades in high-demand urban centres, rollout into underserved communities and general network equipment refresh.
The NCC further disclosed that the expansion drive has continued into 2026, with operators committing to the addition and upgrade of over 12,000 sites within the year, noting that nearly 3,000 of the sites have already been delivered.
It also stated that more than 730 additional 5G sites have so far been deployed across 27 states in 2026 as part of efforts to accelerate next-generation digital infrastructure deployment nationwide.
The Commission said recent Quality of Service and Quality of Experience assessments conducted through crowdsourced and field-based analytics indicate gradual improvements in network capacity, coverage and average internet download speeds across several parts of the country.
According to the NCC, national median download speeds improved from 16.5Mbps in January 2024 to 20Mbps currently, while 4G penetration increased from 45 per cent to 54 per cent within the same period as more subscribers migrated to faster networks.
The Commission also noted improvements in power availability at telecom tower sites, which rose from a national average of 99.3 per cent in January 2025 to 99.7 per cent currently.
Despite the improvements, the NCC admitted that network quality challenges remain in some areas, stressing that the pace and consistency of improvements must increase, especially in locations experiencing congestion, poor call quality and unstable data services.
The Commission identified persistent fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of telecom equipment, power-related disruptions and denial of access for maintenance as major external risks affecting service delivery.
It revealed that more than 27,000 avoidable fibre-cut incidents linked mainly to road construction activities and vandalism were recorded nationwide in 2025 alone.
The NCC said it is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to operationalise the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure in a bid to tackle infrastructure sabotage and improve network resilience.
The Commission also disclosed that operators have now been mandated to notify consumers promptly whenever major service outages occur and restore affected services within specified timelines.
According to the NCC, enforcement actions under the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024 commenced in November 2025, including consumer compensation measures for poor service delivery and additional obligations on Tower Companies where operational failures are identified.
The Commission warned that it would continue to enforce compliance and take further regulatory action against operators that fail to deliver measurable improvements in service quality.
The NCC reiterated its commitment to ensuring Nigerians enjoy reliable, affordable and high-quality telecommunications services while calling on governments, host communities and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting telecom infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for sustained investment in the sector.
