Telecom consumers in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed frustration over persistent poor network quality despite a recent hike in subscription tariffs by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), subscribers lamented that services remained epileptic even after paying more for data and call services.
Mr. Ogah Paul, a dissatisfied subscriber, said the situation was disheartening.
“The only thing they know is to drain data without any good service delivery. I feel like crying because of a problematic network. I have been receiving server errors since morning,” he said.
“To even download and watch a video sent to me takes almost one whole day.”
He further questioned the credibility of service providers’ advertising, describing it as misleading.
“We cannot make calls, access the internet or even receive calls,” he added.
Similarly, Mr. Victor James voiced concerns over data activation delays and poor connectivity.
“Why does their data plan not reflect immediately when you buy data? Sometimes it takes as much as 24 hours to reflect,” he complained.
“I have enough data but I cannot use it the way I want.”
The subscribers’ complaints come despite assurances from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). In a February 6, 2024 publication, the Commission’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, vowed to hold service providers accountable for subpar service delivery.
However, not all users reported negative experiences. Ms. Josephine Tanko said her service provider remained efficient and reliable.
“It is fast and reliable. I think it is the network that gives the best internet speed and quality,” she said, adding that she would continue using the network as her preferred choice.
The calls for improved telecom services grow louder as more Nigerians grapple with rising service costs, leaving many to question the value they receive in return.