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The Nigerian Communications Commission has assured Nigerians that ongoing industry efforts to address challenges affecting the quality of telecommunications services across the country are on track, as operators continue large-scale investments in network expansion and modernisation.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Nnena Ukoha, the NCC acknowledged recent public concerns over poor service delivery, including dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data connections, and service disruptions affecting daily activities.
According to the Commission, reliable telecommunications services have become essential for work, education, business, and access to critical services, stressing that consumers deserve value for the services they pay for.
The NCC said improving Quality of Service has remained a top regulatory priority over the past two years. It noted that it has intensified oversight of Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers, and Tower Companies, while strengthening collaboration with public institutions to address structural barriers affecting service delivery.
The Commission disclosed that the telecom sector is currently experiencing one of its largest network expansion cycles in recent years, following what it described as a prolonged period of under-investment. It said that in 2025 alone, operators invested over N2.13 trillion in network infrastructure upgrades, while tower companies added N373.8 billion, supporting the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecom sites nationwide.
The NCC explained that the interventions include deployment of faster 4G and 5G services on existing sites, expansion of fibre backhaul infrastructure, targeted rollout in urban centres, and improved coverage for underserved communities.
It added that the expansion drive has continued into 2026, with commitments secured from operators for the addition and upgrade of over 12,000 sites this year, noting that nearly 3,000 of those sites have already been delivered. The Commission also revealed that more than 730 additional 5G sites have been deployed across 27 states in 2026.
As part of measures to improve network efficiency, the NCC said it has facilitated the reallocation of idle and underutilised radio spectrum among the three major mobile operators, alongside rearranging spectrum blocks to improve service performance.
The Commission stated that its service assessments indicate gradual improvements in network capacity, coverage, and average internet download speeds across several parts of the country. It said 4G penetration has risen from 45 per cent in January 2024 to 54 per cent currently, while national median download speeds increased from 16.5Mbps to 20Mbps within the same period.
Despite the improvements, the NCC acknowledged that many subscribers still experience poor call quality, congestion, and service instability in some locations, stressing that operators must accelerate progress.
The regulator also said it is advancing plans to create a wholesale broadband market segment aimed at enabling smaller and local internet service providers to expand access and offer lower-cost internet services. This, it said, complements federal initiatives such as Project BRIDGE.
The Commission highlighted external challenges affecting service delivery, including fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of telecom infrastructure, and power disruptions. It revealed that more than 27,000 avoidable fibre-cut incidents were recorded nationwide in 2025, mostly linked to road construction and vandalism.
According to the NCC, it is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to enforce the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure and curb infrastructure sabotage.
The Commission also said operators have now been directed to promptly notify consumers of major service outages and restore services within set timelines. It noted that outage details are published on the official outage portal: NCC Major Network Outages Reporting Portal�
The NCC further disclosed that enforcement of the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024 began in November 2025, including consumer compensation measures and additional investment requirements for tower companies found wanting.
It warned that regulatory sanctions would continue against operators that fail to deliver measurable improvements in service quality.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring Nigerians have access to reliable, affordable, and high-quality telecommunications services, while calling on government agencies, host communities, and other stakeholders to support efforts to protect telecom infrastructure and create an enabling environment for investment.