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NCC and Ookla Partnership Boosts Transparency in Network Performance
The Nigerian Communications Commission has partnered with Ookla, a United States based connectivity intelligence firm, to independently assess mobile network performance in Nigeria.
The partnership aims to improve public trust in network data, especially reports on Quality of Service and Quality of Experience. The initiative was announced during the release of the fourth quarter 2025 Network Performance Reports.
Independent Reports to Guide Regulation
The Commission said the collaboration strengthens transparent and data driven regulation. Independent analysis now places regulators and telecom operators on the same factual platform.
The reports help identify network gaps across the country. They also support better decisions on infrastructure planning and service quality enforcement.
Telecom Investments Drive Network Growth
Mobile network operators invested over one billion dollars in 2025 to expand network coverage. The investment led to the deployment of 2,850 new sites nationwide.
By December 2025, Nigeria’s total number of active telecom sites reached 42,850. These deployments improved both capacity and coverage across urban and rural areas.
Operators have also pledged to increase infrastructure spending in 2026.
Improvements in Network Performance
The fourth quarter 2025 data shows clear improvements over the previous quarter. Median download speeds increased across most locations.
The gap in video Quality of Experience between urban and rural areas also narrowed. The country’s 4G network backbone continues to show steady progress.
Despite these gains, challenges remain. The reports highlight uneven upload speeds and limited 5G performance in some areas.
Urban and Rural Connectivity Findings
The analysis used advanced geospatial tools to compare network performance across regions. The data confirms that rural areas still lag behind urban centres.
However, rural broadband speeds improved in several locations. The reports also show growing digital corridors along major highways.
The findings help regulators pinpoint underserved areas with slower speeds and higher delays.
5G Performance and User Experience
The reports reveal a gap between 5G coverage claims and real user experience. While operators have expanded 5G deployment, service quality does not always match coverage levels.
This insight allows regulators to focus on service delivery, not just network rollout.
Consumer Experience and Usage Trends
Millions of real user tests contributed to the data. The reports reflect how Nigerians experience mobile connectivity daily.
They highlight regional differences, usage patterns, and performance trends. Areas of improvement appear alongside locations that need stronger service quality.
Supporting Balanced Industry Reporting
The Commission stated that quarterly reports aim to present progress and challenges together. This approach reflects ongoing investments, innovation, and sector resilience.
The NCC and Ookla collaboration improves transparency, supports informed consumer choices, and promotes better network performance nationwide.
