Telcos deploy 8,526 network sites despite fibre cuts — NCC

Nigeria's mobile network operators have deployed 8,526 network sites out of the 12,179 initially committed, despite ongoing fibre cuts disrupting telecommunications services, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This deployment accounts for roughly 70% of the commitments made by the operators, representing a substantial increase from the approximately 5,000 sites reported in the previous meeting of the commission's board.

The significant progress was disclosed in a statement from the NCC's Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, following the 110th board meeting held on September 9. The regulator noted that this marks accelerated growth from the earlier figure of around 5,000 sites reported at the last board meeting. The surge in network sites comes as operators strive to enhance coverage and service quality, although the increasing threat of fibre cuts poses a challenge to network reliability.

The NCC highlighted that fibre cuts in June contributed to a sharp rise in network disruptions, emphasizing the necessity for infrastructure expansion to be accompanied by stronger safeguards for critical communications infrastructure. Despite this progress, the board acknowledged that fibre cuts led to a significant surge in network disruptions during June, emphasizing the need for infrastructure expansion to be complemented by robust protection measures.

Fibre optic networks play a crucial role in handling large volumes of telecommunications traffic, and damage to this infrastructure can disrupt voice and data services across affected regions. The regulator had previously expressed concerns over thousands of fibre cuts caused by road construction and excavation activities, with over 5,000 fibre cuts recorded in the first half of 2026.

The latest deployment figure suggests that about 3,500 additional sites have been added since the previous report. The NCC's discussions also centered on network resilience, digital trust, inclusive connectivity, consumer protection, fair competition, and the sustainable growth of Nigeria's digital economy. The regulator's stance suggests that while operators are advancing with network expansion, safeguarding fibre and other vital telecommunications infrastructure remains vital in converting increased capacity into more dependable services for consumers.