The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its Q4 2025 Network Performance Reports. The reports recorded steady improvements in network quality across the country. The improvements were driven by increased industry investment, data-driven regulation and closer collaboration with operators.
The executive vice chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida noted that the publication of the reports reflects the commission’s commitment to transparent, evidence-based regulation and the continuous strengthening of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Maida explained that the quarterly reports were developed in collaboration with global analytics firm Ookla and provide independent real-world insights into how telecommunications networks perform across urban centres, rural communities, highways and emerging 5G zones. He said the data allows the commission to track progress, identify gaps and design targeted regulatory interventions ranging from spectrum optimization and infrastructure upgrades to quality-of-service enforcement and rural connectivity expansion.
According to him, the Q4 2025 data shows clear and consistent improvements in network performance compared to the previous quarter. He noted that median download speeds have improved across both urban and rural areas, reflecting sustained investment by operators and the impact of regulatory oversight.
He added that the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural areas has narrowed, while the overall strength and resilience of the 4G backbone continues to improve nationwide. Maida acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in relation to uneven 5G deployment and disparities in upload speeds in some locations. He said the commission is actively engaging operators to address these gaps, including persistent issues around mobile service coverage in underserved areas, to ensure that performance improvements are evenly distributed.
Maida disclosed that the telecommunications industry invested more than $1billion in 2025. He said this investment supported the deployment of over 2,850 new network sites nationwide, expanding both coverage and network capacity. He also added that operators have signaled their intention to exceed their 2025 investment levels in 2026.
NCC as an organization believes that open access to reliable performance data strengthens the industry, builds public trust and reinforces accountability among service providers. It was this belief that led to its partnership with Ookla to develop nationwide network coverage maps that give consumers objective tools to assess and compare network quality across locations and operators. It was noted that the quarterly network performance reports build on that initiative by providing consistent, credible and comparable insights into how networks are performing across the country.
Key personnel at NCC have noted the important role the media plays in ensuring that industry data is accurately interpreted and responsibly communicated to the public. They have taken cognizance of the fact that media narratives play a significant role in shaping investor confidence, consumer trust and policy direction within the telecommunications sector.
On its own end, NCC reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with industry stakeholders and the media as it translates insights from the Q4 2025 network performance reports into improved connectivity, better service quality and a more inclusive digital future for Nigerians.
Background
Network quality performance for 4G and 5G services is measured using standardized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that capture both voice service quality (clarity, call setup success, dropped calls) and data service quality (speed, latency, reliability). Operators and regulators use drive tests, crowdsourced data, and benchmarking tools to evaluate how well networks deliver consistent user experience.
The key dimensions of network quality when assessing voice services include the following:
- Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR): This is the percentage of successful call attempts.
- Call Drop Rate (CDR): This is the frequency of calls terminated unexpectedly.
- Speech Quality (MOS – Mean Opinion Score): This is a subjective measure of clarity and naturalness of voice.
- Call Setup Time: This is the time taken to establish a call connection.
- Handover Success Rate: This is the ability to maintain calls when moving between cells.
The key dimensions of network quality when assessing data services include the following:
Throughput: This refers to download/upload speeds). They are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps). They are critical for streaming and browsing.
Latency: This refers to delay in data transmission. Latency is a concern for gaming apps, video calls, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Jitter: This refers to variation in packet arrival times. It too is a concern for real-time applications like the ones mentioned under latency.
Packet Loss: This refers to the percentage of data packets lost during transmission.
Coverage & Signal Strength: This determines the reliability of connectivity.
There are a number of methods for measuring mobile network performance. Some are included in the table below:
| Method | Description | Use Cases |
| Drive Tests | Engineers travel with test devices to measure KPIs in real-world conditions. | Benchmarking coverage, voice quality, and data speeds. |
| Crowdsourced Data | Apps collect performance metrics from users’ devices. | Large-scale, real-time monitoring of user experience. |
| Benchmarking Tools | Independent firms compare operators across regions. | Competitive analysis and regulatory reporting. |
| Network Probes & Monitoring | Installed within operator networks to track performance continuously. | Detect anomalies, optimize traffic routing. |
The wealth of options for mobile network performance measurement underscore the need for a multi-dimensional approach. Operators and regulators often combine these to ensure networks meet user expectations and international standards.
