NCC Issues Strong Warning To Airtel, MTN, Others Over Poor Telecom Services

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a strong warning to telecom operators in the country, urging them to enhance their service quality or face regulatory consequences.

This action comes in response to ongoing complaints from subscribers regarding inconsistent telecom services, particularly noted since the holiday season.

To emphasize the seriousness of its message, the NCC has published a data-driven report in collaboration with Ookla, a leading authority in network intelligence and performance measurement.

This report outlines the performance levels of various networks in Nigeria.

The commission has specifically advised telecom companies with identified performance issues to prioritize investments aimed at improving network stability. Key areas of focus include minimizing jitter and latency better to meet the increasing demands of subscribers for high-quality services.

For instance, the report shows that latency and jitter are negatively impacting Globacom network, giving its subscribers’ unpleasant user experience.

According to the data, network performance in Nigeria is increasingly polarized, with some operators making significant strides in high-speed delivery while others continue to struggle with consistency.

However, the report said MTN has the strongest national profile by consistently delivering high download and upload throughput alongside stable latency and jitter values.

For Airtel the report noted a performance dip as the sector transitions toward 5G and highlighted that latency remains an area for improvement.

But, it praised the network for maintaining a competitive edge in urban download speeds via its 4G network.

Analysis of T2 (9mobile) showed variable performance across different regions, and while occasional high-speed peaks were recorded, the data indicates a significant gap in its overall national Quality of Service.

Glo’s latency and jitter issues, according to the report, negatively affected real-time applications like video calls and online payments.

NCC says its partnership with Ookla shows a deliberate strategy towards data-driven regulation.

The report is published quarterly, aiming to empower consumers to make informed choices based on unbiased analytics rather than marketing claims.

A senior NCC official who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that ” 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.”

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,” he added.