The Nigerian Communications Commission has issued a stern warning to telecom operators in Nigeria, urging them to improve service delivery or face regulatory consequences.
According to Vanguard, the regulator’s strict stance comes amid growing complaints from subscribers experiencing poor and inconsistent telecom services since the yuletide season.
To underline the seriousness of its warning, the NCC released a data-driven report developed in partnership with Ookla, a global authority in network intelligence and performance measurement, highlighting how each operator performs across the country.
The commission advised telcos with performance deficiencies to prioritize investments in network stability, particularly in addressing jitter and latency, to meet the rising demands for quality service from subscribers.
For example, the report reveals that Globacom’s network is currently hampered by high latency and jitter, resulting in a subpar experience for its users.
According to the findings, network performance in Nigeria is becoming increasingly polarized. While some operators are making significant progress in delivering high-speed services, others continue to struggle with consistency.
The report shows MTN as having the strongest national profile, consistently providing high download and upload speeds alongside stable latency and jitter.
For Airtel, the report notes a performance dip as the sector transitions toward 5G, pointing out that latency remains a key area for improvement. Nonetheless, it commended the network for maintaining competitive urban download speeds on its 4G network.
Analysis of 9mobile (T2) indicates variable performance across different regions. While occasional high-speed peaks were recorded, the report highlights a notable gap in its overall national Quality of Service.
Globacom’s latency and jitter challenges, the report added, negatively affect real-time applications such as video calls and online payments.
The NCC emphasized that its partnership with Ookla reflects a deliberate move toward data-driven regulation. The report, published quarterly, is intended to empower consumers to make informed choices based on unbiased analytics rather than marketing claims.
A senior NCC official said, “For the Commission, the gloves are off. The telcos will have to adjust or get a hammer. You need to see the report and you wouldn’t ask why people are not able to enjoy telecom services anymore. At this time of our telecom life? No, the regulator is now out to do its job.”
He added, “We are driving towards a data-driven regulatory regime, so nobody will accuse us of bias. Although I am not supposed to talk officially on the issue, but what I am telling you is the mind of the commission. Data driven regulation strengthens transparency and drives better service delivery nationwide. When we identify these service gaps, it helps the Commission make evidence-based policy interventions that attract infrastructure investment and ensure reliable connectivity for all Nigerians.”
