NIGERIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS; SERIOUS INVESTMENTS & MORE COMPETITORS SHOULD COME INTO THE TELECOM INDUSTRY – THE MORE THE MARKET SPACE!

Since the introduction of Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) since the early 2000s Nigerians have enjoyed a massive bundle and plethora of opportunities including easy communication, accessing the internet, connecting and networking, employment opportunities, sponsorships, scholarships, empowerments, rural development, partnerships and so on.

​We have witnessed significant upgrades from the 2G, 3G and now we have the 5G network speed allowing for speedy streaming of telecommunication operations. These service providers which I call the Big Three – MTN, GLO and AIRTEL, have done their best however there are still flaws and loopholes like poor coverage in some rural communities.

​According to TOTEM'S article on Mobile Coverage; What challenges for urban and rural areas, we've discovered that even urban areas due to over-population suffer this too as calls get mixed up, I'm sure everyone especially as a young Nigerian has called someone only to hear the voice of an Hausa person or a total stranger at the other end, imagine you're in a dangerous or life threatening situation and you try to call a friend or family member only to hear "hello, yaro na me Musa,senu fa?",or you hear "The number you've dialled is unavailable at the moment" Where did the number go? did it travel?. That is a sign of poor transmission which needs to be worked on because for a Country as big as Nigeria such is a sheer disgrace as we graduate thousands of youth skilled in this areas but they have no opportunities or they are ineffectively utilized.

​Secondly, the cost of services which they provide is too costly, I'm a GLO user and recently there has been a serious hike in data prices, that's not even the painful party, it's how short the plans are! Before one can say Jack Robinson, the plan is gone and if you check your data consumption rate app, you discover that your data used was not up to the full plan package. I understand how much data is being used on social media but it's outrageous! Calls as well, imagine making only a few calls and all your airtime is gone!

We can also look at slow and snail speed network, bad transmission or when networks go off for days without explanation or apology.

​However, it would be totally wrong to point out the flaws of network service providers without understanding their plight. I mean, they face the normal national pandemic of chronic power instability, serious cases of infrastructure vandalism, high inflation rates and operational running costs, network congestion, insecurity amongst others.

​However, if they can continually hike prices, they should also be ready to improve their services. Value I believe should be proportionate with the pricing of the product. The existing network providers need to make serious investments and innovations to remain relevant and some suggestions I have include;

​First, the network service providers need to collaborate with security agents to protect their facilities from vandalism and this is really essential because even the bible says "if the foundation is destroyed, what can the righteous do?". If the existing frameworks are damaged, what will they build on, so security of their facilities are essential.

​They can also try to subsidize the data rates and service fees and the government can assist in bringing this to life by giving them tax holidays or finding other means to help them.

​Moreover, more network masts should be erected and the frameworks should be optimized to be able to support more users at the same time.

​Communities should sell unused lands to service providers for them to be able to come and settle, invest and build in their local community which is a deal which to my benefit, all parties and people involved.

​Then to keep the market more alive and competitive, we need more telecommunication and GSM service providers and they can be created by the government, individuals, NGOs, organizations and so on.

​This is not to discredit other service providers existing, but the more the better because it creates more employment, empowerment, scholarship, investment, developmental and other opportunities for the people and this also aids and urges efficiency, focus, proper customer care and support by the existence of competition.

​I still remain,

LORD AKINTOLA-DANIELS M.S (RTD SEN)