Telecom operators invest N2.5trn in network upgrades as NCC targets better service

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says telecommunications operators invested more than N2.5 trillion in network infrastructure upgrades in 2025 as the regulator intensifies efforts to address quality-of-service challenges across the country.

The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by Nnena Ukoha, head of public affairs, amid consumer complaints over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data connections, and service disruptions.

According to the NCC, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) invested over N2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025, while Tower Companies committed an additional N373.8 billion to support expansion across the sector.

The investments enabled the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecommunications sites nationwide to address coverage and capacity gaps.

“The sector is currently undergoing one of its largest network expansion and modernisation cycles in recent years, following a prolonged period of underinvestment,” the statement said.

The NCC said the interventions include the deployment of additional 4G and 5G capacity on existing sites, fibre backhaul expansion, targeted rollouts in urban centres, expansion into underserved communities, and upgrades of network equipment.

Despite the investments, the regulator acknowledged that consumers still experience poor service quality in several parts of the country.

“The Commission recognises the frustration experienced by consumers when calls drop, internet speeds slow down, data services become unstable, or service disruptions affect daily activities,” it said.

The Commission added that improving the quality of service has remained a regulatory priority over the past two years through stricter monitoring of operators, enhanced data-driven oversight, and collaboration with public institutions to address barriers affecting service delivery.

As part of expansion efforts in 2026, the NCC said it had secured industry commitments for the addition and upgrade of more than 12,000 telecom sites during the year, with close to 3,000 sites already completed.

The Commission also disclosed that more than 730 new 5G sites had been deployed across 27 states so far in 2026 as operators respond to rising data demand and increasing digital adoption.

In line with its Spectrum Trading Guidelines, the regulator said it had facilitated the reallocation of idle and underutilised spectrum among major operators to improve spectral efficiency, network capacity, and service performance.

According to the NCC, recent Quality of Service and Quality of Experience assessments indicate improvements in network performance nationwide.

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

Power availability at telecom tower sites also improved from a national average of 99.3 percent in January 2025 to 99.7 percent currently, the Commission added.

However, the NCC said the pace of improvement must increase, especially in locations where users continue to experience congestion, slow data speeds, poor call quality, and network instability.

The regulator also identified vandalism, theft of telecom equipment, fibre cuts, power disruptions, and denial of access to telecom sites as factors affecting service quality.

According to the Commission, more than 27,000 fibre-cut incidents linked mainly to road construction activities and vandalism were recorded nationwide in 2025 alone.

To address the challenge, the NCC said it is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to implement the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure.

The Commission added that operators have been mandated to notify consumers whenever major outages occur and restore services within specified timelines.

It also warned that enforcement actions against operators that fail to improve service quality would continue under the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024.

“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.