NCC targets 12,000 base station upgrades, rolls out subscriber compensation

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans for telecommunications operators to upgrade 12,000 base stations across the country in 2026 as part of efforts to improve network quality, while also commencing compensation for subscribers affected by poor service delivery.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this during a media breakfast meeting held on Thursday in Lagos.

Maida said the planned infrastructure expansion represents one of the largest network improvement programmes in recent years and is expected to significantly enhance service quality and capacity nationwide.

According to him, the telecommunications industry recorded only about 300 base station upgrades in 2025, a situation that placed considerable pressure on networks amid soaring data consumption. However, the sector has gained momentum in 2026, with approximately 2,800 base stations already upgraded.

He explained that the upgrades include expanding the capacity of existing sites, deploying new infrastructure and migrating legacy 2G and 3G sites to more advanced 4G and 5G technologies.

The NCC boss added that the Commission has also supported operators through spectrum reallocation, enabling more efficient use of available frequency bands to improve network performance.

Describing spectrum as the “highways” of telecommunications, Maida said recent spectrum trading and redistribution have already contributed to improved data speeds in several parts of the country.

Despite the ongoing investments, he cautioned that improvements in network quality may not immediately translate into a better user experience because increasing digital activities continue to drive unprecedented demand for data services.

“When service improves, usage also increases. That means capacity must continue to expand to keep pace with growing demand,” he said.

Maida reiterated that expanding fibre-optic infrastructure remains critical to delivering affordable, reliable and high-speed internet services across homes, schools, businesses and public institutions.

On consumer protection, the NCC chief announced that the Commission’s subscriber compensation framework for poor quality of service has become operational.

He explained that subscribers affected by service deficiencies would receive airtime credits based on quality-of-service assessments conducted at the local government level, replacing the previous state-level monitoring system to better reflect consumers’ actual experiences.

According to him, the initial compensation covers service performance recorded between November 2025 and January 2026, with subsequent assessment periods to follow after verification.

Maida said subscribers would be notified once the compensation rollout begins, stressing that the initiative is a regulatory sanction imposed on operators that fail to meet prescribed quality-of-service standards rather than a refund mechanism.

He added that independent verification processes have been put in place to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability.

The NCC boss expressed confidence that the combination of aggressive network expansion and stronger consumer protection measures would improve service delivery, enhance customer experience and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.