By The Nigerian Government needs solve three major problems for telecommunications subscribers to enjoy telecommunications services of the same quality in other developed clime.
According to the Chairman of the Association Licensed telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) Engr Gbenga Adebayo, the same operating environment that exist in the developed clime does not exist in Nigeria saying that an entire neighbourhood could lose connectivity because someone has vandalised a cable in one location.
Adebayo who was a guest of an interview session at News Central stated there three major issues that need to be addressed for consumers to enjoy reliable and quality seervices.
“The first is power, the second is vandalism, and the third is the issue of collective ownership and responsibility for telecommunications infrastructure.
“Power is a major challenge because operators have to provide electricity for their facilities. Despite our efforts to deploy generators, solar power systems and ensure adequate diesel supply to our sites, there are situations where it becomes practically impossible to keep the facilities running.”
He disclosed that sometimes, fuel supply trucks cannot gain access to certain locations to replenish diesel adding that there are also instances of infrastructure vandalism that disrupt electricity and telecommunications services.
“For example, we have had situations where individuals steal manhole covers and subsequently set fire to underground cables in an attempt to extract copper. An incident like that can affect connectivity across an entire neighbourhood.”
Adebayo noted that the average consumer will naturally blame the telecommunications operator, but an investigation may reveal that the disruption resulted from an act of vandalism stressing, “we must all take responsibility for protecting the infrastructure that supports our national communications network.”
Responding to questions about his appearance at the National Assembly, he said: My appearance was also a demonstration of respect for the National Assembly. However, there have been court pronouncements explaining the limits of the powers of the legislature, including the persons who may be invited for investigations or to assist an investigation.
“Since the matter is now before the court, I would prefer to be measured in my comments. However, I do not think anyone disputes the right of the legislature to ask questions. The issue is who those questions should be directed to and the appropriate manner of asking them.”
While also commenting on the summon of the Senate, Adebayo noted, “We have a regulator entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the licences issued to telecommunications operators. That regulator is the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“The NCC has the primary responsibility to explain the state of the industry and the challenges confronting operators. You cannot leave the regulator aside and summon the licensees without adequately recognising the regulator’s role.”
THE INTERVIEW WITH NEWS CENTRAL CABLE TELEVISION
News Central: What is ALTON’s position on the concerns expressed by the Nigerian Senate regarding the quality of services provided by telecommunications operators in the country? Are these concerns valid, exaggerated or unfounded?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: Quality of service is an ongoing concern, and I do not think we have reached a point where we can claim 100 per cent service delivery. We operate in a peculiar environment characterised by several challenges, some of which are beyond the control of service providers.
I think the first step taken by the Senate, which is to give operators a timeline within which network quality is expected to improve before embarking on a fact-finding exercise, is commendable. As the saying goes, a problem identified is a problem halfway solved. It would be beneficial to the lawmakers and the Nigerian public to understand the peculiar challenges confronting network operators.
I have listened to the intervention of Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko, a highly respected statesman, particularly his comparisons of telecommunications services in Nigeria with what obtains in other countries. He is right to make those observations. However, the question we must ask is: What is the operating environment for telecommunications companies in those countries compared with ours? That distinction is important, particularly in countries where the state takes responsibility for the protection and sustainability of critical infrastructure.
In Nigeria, telecommunications operators largely take responsibility for sustaining their networks. Whether it is vandalism, electricity supply or the availability of infrastructure, operators do everything possible to ensure that their networks remain operational. Unfortunately, some of these challenges are beyond their control.
I do not want to come here and claim that network services are satisfactory or that there are no problems. There are challenges, some of which operators can address, while others require the intervention and cooperation of other stakeholders.
We must also understand that telecommunications networks operate nationally. An incident in one location can have significant consequences for service delivery in another. A power outage at a particular location, for instance, can affect network availability elsewhere. The activities of landlords who restrict access to telecommunications sites can also disrupt services.
Similarly, operators need to expand infrastructure, particularly fibre-optic networks, but in some instances, obtaining rights of way becomes difficult because of prohibitive charges imposed by state governments. Some of these charges are not commensurate with the value of the infrastructure being deployed.
Therefore, improving network quality requires a collective societal approach. Government, telecommunications operators, consumers and the general public all have responsibilities. If everyone plays their part, service delivery will certainly improve.
News Central: You have mentioned some of the peculiar challenges facing operators, but these are not necessarily the general experiences of telecommunications consumers across the country. What would you identify as the biggest challenges confronting operators in Nigeria?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: There are three major challenges. The first is power, the second is vandalism, and the third is the issue of collective ownership and responsibility for telecommunications infrastructure.
Power is a major challenge because operators have to provide electricity for their facilities. Despite our efforts to deploy generators, solar power systems and ensure adequate diesel supply to our sites, there are situations where it becomes practically impossible to keep the facilities running.
Sometimes, fuel supply trucks cannot gain access to certain locations to replenish diesel. There are also instances of infrastructure vandalism that disrupt electricity and telecommunications services.
For example, we have had situations where individuals steal manhole covers and subsequently set fire to underground cables in an attempt to extract copper. An incident like that can affect connectivity across an entire neighbourhood.
News Central: What is the motivation behind such acts?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: It is largely driven by the desire to extract copper from cables and other infrastructure for commercial purposes.
The consequences are enormous. An entire neighbourhood could lose connectivity because someone has vandalised a cable in one location. The average consumer will naturally blame the telecommunications operator, but an investigation may reveal that the disruption resulted from an act of vandalism.
You see open trenches and uncovered manholes along some of our highways because people have removed the metal covers for their scrap value. Beyond the danger this poses to motorists and pedestrians, these acts have serious implications for telecommunications infrastructure.
That is why I emphasise the need for collective ownership. We must all take responsibility for protecting the infrastructure that supports our national communications network.
So, beyond power and the physical security of infrastructure, we need a collective sense of responsibility. Communities must understand that protecting telecommunications infrastructure is in their own interest.
News Central: You have mentioned ownership and community responsibility. A particular example comes to mind. There is a telecommunications mast not far from where I live, and whenever a truck arrives to supply diesel to its generator, some area boys armed with machetes reportedly demand money before allowing the truck to deliver the fuel.
Let us turn to the issue currently before the Federal High Court. ALTON and some telecommunications operators have approached the court. Why did you take that step? Was it because ALTON was denied the opportunity to represent the operators? What are you expecting from the court? And are the chief executives of these telecommunications companies too important to appear before the Senate?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: No, I appeared at the first invitation. I will, however, be measured in my response because the matter is now before the courts.
I appeared on behalf of the network operators in my capacity as chairman of the association, with the consent of the chief executives of the companies that were invited.
Our understanding was that the exercise was intended to be a fact-finding mission. However, the outcome appeared to take the form of a command-and-control approach. You cannot achieve sustainable improvements in network quality through command and control. You must first understand the underlying issues and the realities of the operating environment.
My appearance was also a demonstration of respect for the National Assembly. However, there have been court pronouncements explaining the limits of the powers of the legislature, including the persons who may be invited for investigations or to assist an investigation.
Since the matter is now before the court, I would prefer to be measured in my comments. However, I do not think anyone disputes the right of the legislature to ask questions. The issue is who those questions should be directed to and the appropriate manner of asking them.
News Central: Why would it be wrong for the Senate to invite the network providers directly to answer questions about their services?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: My position is that we must avoid a command-and-control approach. We have a regulator entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the licences issued to telecommunications operators. That regulator is the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The NCC has the primary responsibility to explain the state of the industry and the challenges confronting operators. You cannot leave the regulator aside and summon the licensees without adequately recognising the regulator’s role.
What happens to the responsibilities of the regulator in such an exercise?
However, these are among the issues we have presented before the court, and I would rather allow the judicial process to take its course.
News Central: The House of Representatives is also investigating complaints about poor network quality and the NCC’s compensation framework. Consumers continue to complain about the value they receive for their money. Indeed, telecommunications services featured among the major consumer complaints recorded by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
What explanation do operators have for these complaints, and what compensation mechanisms currently exist for subscribers affected by dropped calls and poor services?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: First, I do not work for the NCC, so I cannot speak authoritatively about the specific compensation framework developed by the Commission.
However, as the industry regulator, the NCC has mechanisms for measuring network performance and possesses extensive information about the state of telecommunications networks. Indeed, it has access to network performance data on a second-by-second basis.
The NCC is therefore in the best position to determine what is fair to both operators and consumers. The responsibility for deciding when compensation is warranted and who should receive it should rest with the Commission.
As you may be aware, earlier in the year, the NCC conducted investigations and assessments of service providers. Some operators were subsequently required to compensate subscribers following findings of infractions or negligence in service delivery.
Those decisions were based on investigations and network performance evaluations conducted by the regulator. We must acknowledge the work the NCC is doing in this regard.
More importantly, the Commission has access to information about the overall condition of telecommunications networks and the challenges operators encounter. Some of these challenges may not be readily available in the public domain.
For instance, there are locations where operators are unable to access their facilities for maintenance or network expansion because of the actions of certain government or other local authorities. These restrictions affect infrastructure availability and, consequently, network performance.
The NCC has access to information about these issues. It understands the condition of the networks, the difficulties operators face and the factors that may be beyond their control.
Therefore, I believe the responsibility for determining appropriate compensation should remain with the NCC, based on the evidence and information available to it.
News Central: You have spoken about the operating environment and the behaviour of people in some of the communities where telecommunications infrastructure is located. Are some of these challenges solvable? Is ALTON working on practical solutions to mitigate them, particularly in view of the increasing incidents of infrastructure vandalism?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: The level of infrastructure damage we are experiencing is quite alarming and, in some instances, unthinkable.
Take the issue of diesel, for example. Because of its high cost, diesel has become a valuable commodity at telecommunications sites. We have situations where people visit remote sites, sometimes on a daily basis, to siphon fuel from generators.
The same problem now affects alternative power infrastructure. As operators increasingly deploy solar systems and smart batteries to reduce dependence on diesel, vandals have also begun targeting solar panels and batteries.
Some of these batteries have tracking devices, which help us identify and trace stolen equipment. We report these incidents to the relevant authorities.
Thankfully, following the Federal Government’s recognition of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Office of the National Security Adviser, have been providing assistance in tracking down vandals.
However, we must appreciate the wider implications of these incidents. A single telecommunications site may serve about 5,000 subscribers, while a fibre-optic cable could connect millions of users. When such infrastructure is damaged, the resulting disruption can affect a significant number of people.
Consumers may conclude that network quality has deteriorated, whereas the immediate cause could be an act of vandalism at a particular location.
These are issues that require the intervention of security agencies. In other jurisdictions, the protection of telecommunications infrastructure is treated as a serious security responsibility. Here, we report incidents and escalate them to the relevant authorities, but the outcome ultimately depends on the effectiveness of the response.
There is also a misconception that because telecommunications companies make money, they should simply spend more to resolve every challenge. I must emphasise that money alone cannot solve all these problems.
Consider the electricity sector. Successive governments have invested substantial resources in the power sector, yet the challenges remain. This demonstrates that funding, although important, is not the only solution.
For instance, a telecommunications site may be fully operational at night, but by the following morning, its equipment could have been vandalised or stolen. Even if an operator has the financial resources to replace the equipment immediately, the process of sourcing, delivering, installing and restoring the facility takes time. During that period, subscribers will inevitably experience service disruption.
There are also security situations where technicians cannot access certain sites at particular times. In some instances, our personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty. These are realities that may not always be discussed publicly, but they significantly affect our operations.
This is why we must build an ecosystem in which everyone takes responsibility. Network quality is not solely the responsibility of telecommunications operators. It requires a collective societal approach.
News Central: Let us look at another issue that has generated considerable public concern: the rapid depletion of data purchased by subscribers. Consumers complain that they buy data and, sometimes within 24 hours, discover that their data allowance has been exhausted. Operators often explain that applications running in the background account for the consumption.
However, many Nigerians believe something has changed significantly in the way data is consumed over the last two or three years. What explains this development, especially given the increasing cost of data?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: Data depletion has become a very important issue, and it is one that concerns all of us.
However, the reality is that the devices we use today are considerably smarter and more sophisticated than they were in the past. Application developers constantly introduce upgrades, while handset manufacturers also improve the capabilities of their devices.
You may have used the same phone for three years, but the applications and content on that phone have not remained the same. They have been upgraded repeatedly, and those upgrades can increase data consumption.
Let me give you a simple illustration. Four years ago, when you accessed the internet using a 3G connection, the experience was different from what you have today with faster network technologies.
It is similar to travelling the same distance in two different vehicles. You may cover the same distance, but the speed and efficiency of the journey are different. Likewise, the way people consume digital content has changed significantly.
The applications we use today are more sophisticated, and the quality of content available to us has improved. Consequently, the volume of data consumed can also increase.
Even the battery performance of your phone may have changed because newer applications and device features require more processing power and energy.
Therefore, we must understand that changes in technology, application upgrades and user behaviour all contribute to increased data consumption.
News Central: Is there a way consumers can independently audit and validate these explanations? Nigerians want to know whether what telecommunications operators tell them about data consumption is accurate.
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: Yes, there are ways to do that. Your device can show you the applications and websites you visit, how much time you spend on them and, in many cases, how much data they consume.
I recall an experience involving a senior friend who complained that he was always busy and hardly had time to use his phone, yet his data kept disappearing.
We decided to examine the phone’s usage records and discovered that he had spent about eight hours on WhatsApp on a particular day.
When we asked what he was doing on WhatsApp for that long, we discovered that he received church prayers in the morning, participated in school group discussions and joined meetings and other conversations.
He considered himself too busy to use his phone, but the device was actually supporting many of his daily activities.
Sometimes, you spend two minutes responding to a message, five seconds checking something, ten minutes participating in a meeting and another few minutes on a different application. These seemingly insignificant activities accumulate over the course of the day.
Your device can help you identify the applications you use and how much time you spend on them. You can also examine their data consumption.
Today, the mobile phone has become our constant companion. Whether we are travelling, sitting in a car, waiting at an airport or attending a meeting, we frequently turn to our phones to send messages, check emails and carry out other activities.
Naturally, this has implications for data consumption.
However, I always emphasise that consumers must take responsibility for their data usage. If an application or service is not necessary at a particular time, you can limit its use. You should also put appropriate checks and controls in place.
If you are dissatisfied with your data consumption, contact your network operator and ask for an explanation. They should be able to provide information that helps you understand what happened.
Digital footprints provide useful evidence of how a device has been used.
That said, I would not claim that there have never been instances of incorrect data deductions or other service-related issues. We operate technology, and it would be unreasonable to suggest that errors cannot occur.
This is why the NCC has investigated cases and identified instances where telecommunications operators were required to compensate subscribers. Such compensation has taken place.
News Central: We have seen instances where consumers were compensated after losing data they had purchased. However, beyond refunds and compensation, what practical steps are telecommunications operators taking to improve service delivery?
People are increasingly dependent on their mobile devices, and network infrastructure must evolve to meet changing demands. What assurance can ALTON give Nigerians that operators are investing in improving their networks?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: We are making improvements, and operators are investing substantially in network expansion.
The investments made in the national telecommunications network between 2025 and now are significantly greater than those made during the preceding four years.
Following the tariff adjustment in January 2025, one of the clear expectations communicated to operators by the government was that they must invest in their networks and demonstrate evidence of those investments.
Since then, operators have continued to invest, and we will sustain that commitment.
However, we are also witnessing a significant increase in data consumption. As demand for data grows, the capacity required to support that demand also increases. In many instances, the additional capacity being deployed is quickly taken up by increased consumption.
Therefore, improving network quality and availability is a continuous process. We are expanding capacity, maintaining infrastructure and undertaking the necessary work to improve service delivery.
There is also a difference between Nigeria and some of the countries with which our telecommunications services are compared.
In countries such as the United Kingdom, for instance, public Wi-Fi is readily available in places such as Heathrow Airport and underground train stations in Central London. Many households also have broadband connections that enable people to access the internet through Wi-Fi.
Consequently, their dependence on mobile data is not as extensive as ours.
In Nigeria, however, many people depend almost entirely on mobile telecommunications services. The mobile phone serves as a torchlight, a data bank, a computer and a primary means of communication.
We are aware of this level of dependence, and as network providers, we understand the responsibility that comes with it.
Our assurance to Nigerians is that we will continue to do everything possible to optimise the networks and improve service availability, despite the challenges.
Consider the amount of work involved in managing electricity supply in an average Nigerian home. You have to ensure that fuel is available for your generator, recharge your electricity meter where applicable and ensure that your inverter is adequately charged.
Now imagine managing those requirements across approximately 50,000 telecommunications sites nationwide.
Each site requires regular attention. Personnel must visit facilities to replenish diesel, undertake maintenance, adjust network equipment and install additional capacity.
Some maintenance activities can be handled remotely from control centres, but many require physical access to the sites.
That means coordinating personnel, logistics, equipment and security arrangements across thousands of locations.
There is a tremendous amount of work involved, and I think Nigerians should appreciate the operational demands of maintaining a national telecommunications network.
We also acknowledge that some operators report substantial annual profits. However, it is important to recognise that they also have significant tax obligations. The case involving MTN and the Federal Government, for example, illustrates the substantial financial obligations telecommunications companies face.
Therefore, while operators must continue to invest in improving service delivery, the wider financial and operational realities of the industry should also be understood.
News Central: Can Nigerians expect noticeable improvements within the four weeks given by the Senate? The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, suggested that four weeks was already a generous timeline and that operators should respond promptly to the concerns of Nigerians.
What should Nigerians expect when the four weeks elapse? Also, ALTON members appear to cooperate at the association level, but how does infrastructure sharing work in practice? Do operators share telecommunications towers and other facilities, or does each company build and maintain its own infrastructure?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: Network maintenance is an ongoing responsibility. There is no point at which operators can say that maintenance is no longer necessary. We must continuously maintain existing facilities and deploy additional capacity to keep the networks operational.
We will continue doing the work required to improve network performance, both within the four-week period and beyond it.
What happens after four weeks will depend on the realities at that time. However, I can assure you that significant work is ongoing, and more work will continue to be done.
As for the court case, that is a matter before the judiciary, and the court will determine the issues.
On infrastructure sharing, yes, telecommunications operators share infrastructure, and there is considerable cooperation and synergy among industry players.
We have infrastructure companies that provide towers and other facilities to telecommunications operators. These include IHS Towers, American Tower and Pan African Towers, among others. They provide shared infrastructure that enables operators to deploy and maintain their networks without each company having to build every facility independently.
There is also cooperation in the deployment and use of fibre-optic routes connecting different operators. Where one operator encounters a problem along a particular route, arrangements can be made to utilise another available route.
This demonstrates the level of collaboration within the industry.
Although we have different telecommunications service providers, we collectively operate within one national telecommunications ecosystem. For the entire network to function effectively, all the players must work together.
The devices used by subscribers must be able to communicate across different networks. That interoperability depends on the collective efforts of operators.
It is also important to understand that no single operator has sufficient spare capacity to absorb all the traffic of another operator in the event of a major network failure.
If one network goes down, the possibility of subscribers migrating to another network exists, but accommodating that additional traffic can be challenging.
That is why we must work together to ensure that every network remains operational and that the national telecommunications infrastructure functions optimally.
News Central: Is another telecommunications network provider expected to enter the Nigerian market?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: Whoever intends to enter the market must obtain the necessary licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission. The NCC is responsible for licensing telecommunications operators.
News Central: Finally, what is the situation regarding the coastal road construction and the associated telecommunications cables? Has the issue been resolved, and are there concerns that similar disruptions could occur again as the project progresses towards Edo State?
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo: We must appreciate the Minister of Works for the collaboration with industry stakeholders on this issue. We are working together, and the relevant committees are also working to address the concerns.
