Business a.m
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a new crowdsourcing report and National Coverage Maps, a move in its push for data-driven regulation and improved consumer experience within the country’s telecommunications sector.
Developed in collaboration with Ookla, a global leader in network intelligence and performance analytics, the initiative underscores the Commission’s ongoing efforts to enhance Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) across networks through innovative, consumer-centric data collection and analysis tools.
With the unveiling of these digital tools, the NCC said it aims to strengthen transparency, empower consumers with accurate information on service coverage, and encourage operators to continuously upgrade performance standards. The new maps will allow users to visualise network coverage and speed performance across the country, fostering a more accountable and innovation-driven telecom environment.
Speaking during the virtual launch, Chip Strange, chief strategy officer at Ookla, commended the NCC’s commitment to integrating data and analytics into regulatory processes, describing it as “a pivotal moment” for Nigeria’s telecom industry.
“When citizens can visualise and share performance data, it fosters accountability and improvements.The NCC’s commitment to data-driven regulation signifies a major leap forward for Nigeria, and we are proud to support this effort through benchmarking, best practices, and capacity building initiatives,” Strange said.
He added that Nigeria has the potential to lead Africa’s telecommunications advancement agenda, particularly in network transparency and innovation.
Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and CEO of the NCC, explained that modern regulation must go beyond enforcement to include empowerment and education. According to him, the platform represents a practical tool for every stakeholder within the telecom ecosystem—from consumers and operators to policymakers and investors.
“This platform allows consumers to compare coverage and select services that suit their needs,” Maida stated. “For service providers, it offers insights to enhance data quality and reduce latency, while policymakers and investors can use it to channel resources where they will have the greatest impact.”
He stressed that the Commission’s goal is to make telecommunications more transparent and inclusive. “We want every Nigerian to understand how connectivity shapes their daily lives. This launch reflects our commitment to serving the public good through evidence-based regulation,” Maida added.
Ali Benchekh, technical account manager at Ookla, also noted that integrating data-driven insights into telecom management can improve transparency, strengthen consumer trust, and elevate Nigeria’s global ranking in network performance.
He pointed out that while Nigeria’s data service capacity remains robust, significant network strain persists in major urban centres across all operators. “The best way to alleviate this strain,” he advised, “is through a balanced approach that accelerates 5G deployment while optimising existing 4G (LTE) infrastructure.”
Benchekh emphasised that expanding 4G services to semi-urban and rural areas remains critical to narrowing the country’s digital divide. He further explained that improving latency and reducing jitter—key measures of network stability—will enhance user experiences, particularly for real-time applications such as streaming, gaming, and online meetings.
Looking ahead, he said addressing coverage gaps in high-demand areas such as Lagos and Abuja should be a strategic priority to accommodate the growing use of 5G-enabled devices and data-intensive applications.
Also speaking, Edoyemi Ogoh, deputy director of technical standards at the NCC, encouraged Nigerians to report network outages lasting over 30 minutes to aid in the Commission’s data collection efforts. “Outage reports are crucial for understanding service interruptions,” Ogoh stated, elaborating that the Call Setup Success Rate, which measures call reliability, is determined by the ratio of successful call attempts to total call attempts.
