Nigerian Communication Commission stated that it is working towards achieving a 50% improvement in the quality of service in the telecommunications industry by year’s end.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, the Commission highlighted the telecom regulator’s activities in the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to Nairametrics.
According to the NCC, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani has set a target of achieving a 50% improvement in QoS, and the Commission is committed to reaching this goal.
NCC said it has outlined additional goals in Tijani’s Strategic Agenda 2023, which involve increasing Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate to 70% by the conclusion of 2025. Additionally, they aim to achieve a data download speed of 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural areas by the end of 2025. Lastly, the plan involves providing coverage for at least 80% of the country’s population, particularly focusing on the underserved and unserved populations by the end of 2026.
There is also a target to reduce the number of unconnected Nigerians in rural areas from 61% to less than 20% by 2027 and to increase broadband investment by 300% to 500%.
The regulator said “The Commission, under Dr. Aminu Maida, rather than taking a national outlook on data collection for quality of service delivery, has adopted an approach where more granular data is collected from operators and analysed to determine the quality of service at very small, local levels, to allow the deployment of optimised solutions or regulatory actions where needed.
“Maida’s approach focuses on ensuring that the consumers receive an enhanced Quality of Experience, beyond the narrow and very technically-evaluated Quality of Service.”
“Quality of experience takes into account all touch points along the consumer’s journey in using telecom services from selection, through onboarding, usage, support and even off-boarding.
“This means that consumers are empowered to make the right network selection, enjoy a seamless onboarding into the network of their choice, enjoy quality service at fair costs, receive responsive customer service, and enjoy protected off-boarding where they choose to leave the network,” the Commission added.
A survey of Mobile Network Operators’ billing systems will be conducted by the Commission to address consumer complaints regarding data depletion. A consultation process to simplify tariff plans is also being concluded. It said these initiatives would provide enhanced transparency to the consumer.
The telecom regulator stated that Maida’s primary goal is to build a strong industry and improve the provision of regulatory services for the industry and licensees of the Commission.
In addition, the Commission has started important advocacy efforts to tackle persistent issues in the industry. This includes advocating for the designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure. Additionally, it has successfully convinced over six states to waive Right of Way fees, while also beginning discussions with more states.
