Challenges in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector: Data Exhaustion and Service Quality

Despite the dynamic growth of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria, it has encountered significant difficulties in 2023. Challenges such as economic troubles and infrastructure gaps have resulted in rapid data exhaustion and low quality of service (QoS). These challenges directly impact the ability of telecommunications operators to provide satisfactory services to their customers.

One of the main issues faced by customers was the quick depletion of data plans. Telecom operators discreetly reduced the value of data plans due to increasing operational costs, leading to customer complaints about data exhaustion. Data packages that previously lasted almost a month now only suffice for a few days.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) acknowledged that various factors contributed to data exhaustion. These factors include the increased internet speed resulting from the migration to 4G and 5G networks, which consume more data during high-quality video streaming. Non-technical factors such as weak purchasing power of subscribers, the rise of social media and online advertisements, consumer unawareness, and the use of substandard devices further contribute to data exhaustion.

In addition to rapid data exhaustion, customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of services provided by telecom operators. In response to these concerns, the NCC issued a warning to operators, emphasizing the need to improve service quality in 2024. The Commission plans to introduce more rigorous monitoring and enforcement measures to ensure transparency and hold operators accountable.

Furthermore, the NCC is actively working to increase broadband penetration and expand telecommunications infrastructure throughout the country. These efforts include increasing the length of fiber-optic cables from the current 35,000 to 95,000 kilometers. Both government funding and private sector contributions will be necessary to achieve this goal.

Resolving the challenges in the Nigerian telecommunications sector requires cooperation between the NCC, telecom operators, and other stakeholders. By prioritizing service quality and addressing infrastructure issues, the industry can strive to provide reliable and affordable telecommunications services to the residents of Nigeria.

Source: [NCC Nigeria](https://www.ncc.gov.ng/)

The source of the article is from the blog girabetim.com.br