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By Osasome, C.O
Q4 2025 Industry Report Shows Gains in Quality of Experience, Investment Impact
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reported measurable improvements in network quality performance and Quality of Experience (QoE) across Nigeria, according to data from its Q4 2025 Industry Network Performance Report.
RELATED: NCC, Ookla report blames urban network congestion for poor service in Lagos, Abuja
The regulator disclosed the findings on Wednesday during a virtual media engagement, underscoring its renewed push for transparency, accountability, and data-driven regulation in the telecommunications sector. The full report has been published on the NCC’s official website.
NCC Calls on Operators to Close Urban–Rural Connectivity Gap
Despite the recorded gains, the Commission expressed concern over the persistent disparity between urban and rural network performance, noting that the gap remains most pronounced in regions with historically low network density and higher infrastructure deployment challenges.
The NCC said Nigeria must urgently address an estimated 40 per cent performance gap to achieve more balanced and inclusive national connectivity, urging telecom operators to accelerate investments in underserved areas.
Maida: Report Reflects Commitment to Data-Driven Regulation
Speaking at the briefing, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the release of the Q4 2025 report demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to transparent, evidence-based oversight and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Maida
“Through our collaboration with Ookla, we are providing independent insights into real-world network performance and the lived experience of Nigerians across cities, rural communities, highways, and emerging 5G zones,” Maida said.
He explained that the quarterly reports enable the Commission to track progress, identify gaps, and guide targeted regulatory interventions, including spectrum optimisation, infrastructure upgrades, quality-of-service enforcement, and rural connectivity expansion.
Download Speeds Improve, Urban–Rural Video QoE Gap Narrows
According to Maida, the Q4 2025 data shows steady improvements in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas when compared to Q3 2025 performance.
He noted that the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural locations has narrowed, while the strength and reliability of Nigeria’s 4G backbone continues to improve nationwide.
However, he acknowledged lingering challenges, including uneven 5G availability and disparities in upload speeds, particularly outside major cities.
“We are actively engaging operators to address these gaps, including persistent mobile service coverage challenges,” Maida added.
Over $1bn Invested, 2,850 New Sites Deployed in 2025
The NCC EVC expressed confidence in the sector’s ability to continue attracting investment, revealing that over $1 billion was invested in 2025, leading to the deployment of more than 2,850 new network sites nationwide.
He said the improvements highlighted in the report are largely the result of these investments, adding that operators have committed to exceeding their 2025 investment levels in 2026.
Transparency Central to NCC’s Regulatory Strategy
Also speaking at the session, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Mr. Abraham Oshadami, said transparency remains a core pillar of the Commission’s regulatory philosophy.
He noted that the NCC’s consistent publication of network performance data is intended to strengthen accountability among operators and build public trust.
“Open access to accurate and timely data strengthens the industry, builds public confidence, and ensures service providers remain accountable to consumers,” Oshadami said.
Terrain Challenges Affect Road Network Experience Despite Near-Universal Coverage
According to the Q4 2025 report, Nigeria’s major highways and intercity roads enjoy near-universal mobile coverage, with only about 0.1 per cent of surveyed routes recording complete zero-service gaps.
However, the NCC warned that terrain and environmental factors—including hills, dense forests, undulating landscapes, and mountainous regions—continue to degrade signal quality and cause intermittent connectivity, especially in rural and border areas.
While trunk, primary, and secondary roads span hundreds of thousands of kilometres with strong overall coverage, real-world user experience varies significantly in challenging geographies.
Ookla Data Highlights Strong Economic Corridors, Weak Border Coverage
Crowdsourced data from Ookla, combined with geospatial road mapping, shows that major economic corridors such as Lagos–Abuja–Port Harcourt enjoy strong and consistent network signals.
In contrast, border towns, remote rural communities, and security-challenged areas continue to experience sparse connectivity.
“These gaps are not due to lack of infrastructure, but propagation challenges. Hills, trees, and terrain create natural barriers that higher-frequency bands struggle to overcome,” an NCC official explained.
4G Remains National Backbone as Quality Metrics Vary
Oshadami said 4G technology remains the most reliable and balanced nationwide platform for voice, data, and streaming services. However, in difficult terrains, network performance often degrades, forcing devices to fall back to 3G or 2G networks.
The report identified about 326 kilometres of primary roads with zero-service zones, a small fraction of Nigeria’s estimated 290,000-kilometre road network, while noting wide variations in signal strength (RSRP) and signal quality (RSRQ) across locations.
Quarterly Reports Aim to Improve Public Understanding
In separate remarks, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of the NCC’s Public Affairs Department, said the quarterly reports reflect the Commission’s commitment to evidence-based regulation and improved consumer experience.
“This engagement is designed to provide context behind the data, prevent misinterpretation, and enhance the quality of information reaching the public,” Ukoha said.
