Mobile network operators in Nigeria have deployed 8,526 of the 12,179 coverage and capacity sites they committed to providing nationwide, as persistent fibre cuts continue to disrupt telecommunications services, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said.

The deployment represents about 70 per cent of the operators’ commitments, up from approximately 5,000 sites reported at the commission’s previous board meeting.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, the NCC said the progress was recorded at its 110th board meeting held on September 9.

“The board further noted that 8,526 out of the 12,179 committed coverage and capacity sites have now been deployed across the country, representing approximately 70 per cent of the communicated commitments.

“This reflects accelerated progress from the approximately 5,000 sites reported at the last meeting”, the commission said.

The increase comes as operators continue to expand network capacity to improve coverage and service quality, even as damage to fibre infrastructure poses a growing threat to network reliability.

The NCC said fibre cuts contributed to a significant increase in network disruptions in June, underscoring the need to protect existing infrastructure while expanding network capacity.

“Despite this progress, the board noted that fibre cuts contributed to a sharp rise in network disruptions in June, underscoring the need for infrastructure expansion to be matched by stronger protection of critical communications infrastructure,” it stated.

Fibre optic networks carry large volumes of telecommunications traffic, meaning damage to the infrastructure can disrupt voice and data services in affected areas.

The NCC has previously raised concerns over thousands of fibre cuts caused by road construction and excavation activities. More than 5,000 fibre cuts were recorded in the first half of 2026, according to earlier warnings by the regulator.