Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have decried the alarming rate of fibre cuts in Lagos, revealing that they suffered 2,500 incidents in 2024, leading to an estimated N5 billion ($6.25 million) in losses.
The operators disclosed this at the seventh edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo), held over the weekend in Lagos.
They identified Ikeja, Lekki, and Victoria Island as high-risk zones, where frequent road expansions and private developments disrupt connectivity.
Industry experts at the event called for stricter enforcement of regulations, legal accountability, and improved coordination in infrastructure planning to curb the recurring damage to critical telecom infrastructure.
A senior official of Broadbased Communications, Jude Ighomena, lamented that despite existing regulations, fibre cuts remain a major challenge, causing economic losses, service disruptions, and security risks.
He attributed the primary causes to construction and urban development, illegal excavation, and vandalism.
“To address the persistent issue of fibre cuts, a robust compensation and redress framework is essential,” Ighomena stated.
“Policy reforms should mandate stricter penalties for unauthorized fibre disruptions, ensuring offenders are held accountable.
Stakeholder engagement is critical, bringing together government agencies, telecoms operators, and civil society to create enforceable policies and improve coordination.”
He further stressed the need for proactive measures to safeguard telecom investments and ensure seamless service delivery.
Meanwhile, at the forum, telecom operators discussed the possibility of reviewing Nigeria’s national tariff structure to introduce a regional tariff regime.
The proposed system would reflect the operational challenges in different states, ensuring that states with favourable business environments enjoy lower tariffs, while those imposing difficulties bear higher costs.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, emphasized the need for this approach, citing the varying degrees of ease in doing business across states.
“We may have to reconsider our national tariffs and look at regional tariffs. If the cost of doing business is high in a particular state and negotiations fail, we should factor that cost into service pricing,” Adebayo said.
The discussions highlight growing concerns over the impact of infrastructure damage on telecom services and the need for a regulatory framework that protects investments while ensuring fair pricing across the country.
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