Telcos deploy 8,526 network sites as fibre cuts disrupt services – NCC

Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have deployed 8,526 out of the 12,179 network coverage and capacity sites committed to improving services across the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said.

The figure represents about 70 per cent implementation and marks a significant increase from the roughly 5,000 sites recorded at the commission’s previous board meeting.

The NCC disclosed this in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, after the commission’s 110th board meeting held on September 9.

According to the regulator, the accelerated deployment reflects progress in efforts to expand network capacity and improve telecommunications services nationwide.

“The board further noted that 8,526 out of the 12,179 committed coverage and capacity sites have now been deployed across the country, representing approximately 70 per cent of the communicated commitments,” the statement said.

However, the commission said the expansion was being undermined by increasing damage to fibre-optic infrastructure, which contributed to a sharp rise in network disruptions in June.

“Despite this progress, the board noted that fibre cuts contributed to a sharp rise in network disruptions in June, underscoring the need for infrastructure expansion to be matched by stronger protection of critical communications infrastructure,” the NCC said.

Fibre-optic networks carry large volumes of voice and data traffic, making them critical to the delivery of telecommunications services. Damage to the infrastructure can therefore affect connectivity across several locations.

The NCC had previously raised concerns over fibre cuts associated with road construction, excavation and other activities.

More than 5,000 fibre cuts were recorded in the first half of 2026, according to the commission.

At its previous board meeting, the NCC reported that operators had deployed more than 5,000 of the over 12,000 sites committed under the network expansion programme, representing more than 40 per cent implementation at the time.

The latest figures indicate that operators have added about 3,500 sites since that assessment.

The regulator stressed that increasing network infrastructure alone would not be sufficient to guarantee reliable telecommunications services unless critical infrastructure was also adequately protected from damage.

The commission therefore called for stronger measures to safeguard fibre-optic networks and other telecommunications infrastructure as operators continue to expand coverage and capacity across the country.