Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

Telecom

NCC May Sanction Telcos for Flouting Ban on SIM Card Sell

Published

on

Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology
Kindly share this post

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has warned is will not spare more any telecom operator flouting its directive to suspend SIM card sells, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.

NCC had upon imposing a N647.5million sanction on three major network service providers, Airtel, Globacom and MTN Nigeria Limited for failing to meet the key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality of service in the month of January 2014, directed that they suspend SIM card sells.

Speaking on the allegation that the operators might have continued the normal SIM card business, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, executive commissioner, Stakeholders Management at NCC, told journalist in Lagos at the Cyber Forum 2014, that the Commission’s resolve to impose fines on the telcos was a means putting them on notice about the dissatified nature of the quality of service.

He disclosed that the ban handed over to the operators within the month of March 2014 has not been put-off hence they are yet to meet the expected KPIs.

Itanyi said: “Basically, the fines are to put the operators on notice that we are not happy with the standards of service they are giving to Nigerians. We have key performance indicators and whenever they fall short of expectation we have to sanction them.

“One of the ways of the sanctions is by putting fines. It’s not the best way to sanction, but a way to put them on notice.

“We are also talking with the operators to find ways to improve on the infrastructures that they have, because part of the problems is that their networks cannot carry the traffic they generate”.

When asked about operators flouting the directive to suspend SIM card sells, the EC said, “We stopped MTN, Globacom & Airtel from selling SIM cards.

“The enforcement was for a month. Well, if they are selling, it is something that they doing in negligence to our instruction. It’s something they we sanction any of them for. It was for a month, we extended it and have not lifted it”.

Apart from banning the operstors from selling SIM carsa, the Commission had barred them also from any form of promotions in their networks until they improve on the failed indicators which include call setup success rate, drop call rate and signaling congestion.

During the imposition of the sanction Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, Corporate Affairs at NCC, said that the Commission was lately compelled to impose sanctions of over N600 million on three network operators following their failure to meet key performance indicators resulting to declining quality of service and a shortchange of consumers.

Mr Ojobo explained that these sanctions are right on the heels of a previous sanction on the network operators in 2012 and a directive by the NCC for a progressive improvement with a deadline of 31st of December 2013 for key performance indicators to be met failure to which stringent measures will follow.

He added that an audit of the defaulting companies will be carried out in March.

Ojobo also stated that the compliance monitoring and enforcement department of the commission is monitoring the networks to ensure strict compliance warning that any deviation or alteration of provisioning pattern in the period before the sanctions are enforced will be considered a breach of the  Commission’s directive.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian telecommunications market has been adjudged one of the fastest growing markets in Africa with almost 120 million mobile phones users but the services of the telecoms company have dwindled in recent times.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Telecom

Nigeria Hits 1 Terabit Internet Traffic Milestone

Published

on

Kindly share this post

IXPN, Nigeria’s leading Internet Exchange Point, is proud to announce a landmark achievement: crossing 1 Terabit per second (1Tbps) in aggregate peak domestic internet traffic for the first time.

Nigeria Hits 1 Terabit Internet Traffic Milestone

This milestone signifies a major leap forward in developing Nigeria’s internet infrastructure and underscores the critical role of local internet infrastructure in driving economic growth, innovation, and connectivity for millions of Nigerians.

“This milestone is more than just a number. It’s a symbol of Nigeria’s digital maturity and our united strides towards becoming a tech-driven nation. By keeping local internet traffic within Nigeria, we reduce costs, improve speeds, and ensure our digital economy thrives with homegrown infrastructure.” said Muhammed Rudman the CEO of IXPN.

“Achieving 1 Tbps is a significant victory for Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem, a breakthrough for domestic internet traffic. It serves as a catalyst, enabling millions of Nigerians to enjoy faster, more affordable, and resilient internet connectivity.”

1 Terabit per second is a game-changer for Africa’s most populous country. To put it in perspective:

  • Mega Video Calls: A speed of 1 Tbps can support over 1 million concurrent Zoom calls, allowing students, entrepreneurs, and professionals to connect and drive Nigeria’s digital revolution.
  • Streaming Frenzy: With 1 Tbps, more than 200,000 people can stream HD Nollywood films or movies on Netflix simultaneously without any buffering or interruptions.
  • Data Superpower: This speed enables the transfer of the entire contents of 50,000 smartphones—including photos, apps, and videos—in just one second.

For Nigeria, hitting this milestone means reducing reliance on international bandwidth, decreasing latency for local services, and strengthening our position as Africa’s digital heartbeat. This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a faster, more connected Nigeria.

This accomplishment goes beyond technical advancements; it has significant economic implications. By encouraging local traffic exchange, IXPN reduces dependency on international bandwidth, leading to:

  • Significant Cost Savings: By utilizing local data exchange, Nigerian businesses can save millions of dollars annually on international bandwidth fees.
  • Enhanced Speed and Connectivity: With reduced latency, users experience smoother streaming, gaming, and real-time services, enhancing their overall online experience.
  • Increased Resilience: Strengthening Nigeria’s internet infrastructure protects against global disruptions, ensuring consistent access to vital services such as healthcare and education.
  • Improved Efficiency: Optimizes digital services like fintech, edtech, e-commerce, and e-health, propelling innovation and growth in these sectors.

Surveys conducted among IXPN members over the years have shown a growing percentage of local internet traffic in Nigeria. A recent report indicates that some connected members can localize or domesticate up to 70% of their internet traffic through IXPN.

“As more content providers, ISPs, banks, and public institutions localize their traffic through the IXP, end users benefit directly,” added Raphael Iloka (Marketing Manager). “We’re not just routing data — we’re building the foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy.”

The 1 Tbps peak highlights the remarkable impact of collaboration among all stakeholders. This milestone is a significant achievement not only for IXPN, but for the entire ICT ecosystem.  IXPN deeply appreciates the vital contributions of all stakeholders involved.

To our Members and Partners: Your trust and participation have been essential to our growth. Together, we have established a hub where networks can interconnect, innovate, and thrive.

To the Government and Regulators: We express our sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for all its support over the years and its vision of a digitally inclusive Nigeria.

To our Team: We extend our gratitude to our engineers, network administrators, and all other staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to push boundaries.

To the Global Community: We are grateful to partner organizations like the Internet Society (ISOC). Your support and advocacy in domestic peering empower us all.

Reaching 1 Tbps is just the beginning. As data demands skyrocket with AI, IoT, 5G, and immersive technologies, IXPN is committed to staying ahead of the curve. Here’s how:

  • Scaling Infrastructure: We are investing in advanced hardware and software to support multi-terabit capacities.
  • Enhancing Resilience: We are strengthening our network to ensure uptime, security, and adaptability in an ever-changing digital landscape.
  • Empowering Underserved Communities: We aim to expand our reach to rural areas, bridging the digital divide, and supporting agritech, edtech, and telehealth.
  • Strengthening Africa’s Digital Sovereignty: Partnering with regional IXPs to keep Africa’s data on the continent.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

TD Africa’s TecHERdemy Empowers 400 Women to Lead in Tech

Published

on

Kindly share this post

On April 17, 2025, the atmosphere at Yudala Heights was electric with pride, hope, and inspiration as TD Africa, the leading tech distribution company in Sub-Saharan Africa, celebrated the graduation of 400 young Nigerian women from its flagship TecHERdemy program.

Over the past six months, these incredible women immersed themselves in rigorous, hands-on training in Cybersecurity, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Software Development. They are now confidently stepping into the tech world, ready to make their mark.

The event brought together top voices in the industry, including Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of the Zinox Group, who commended the graduates for their resilience and brilliance. In his keynote speech, he shared a hopeful vision for Africa’s future, calling these young women “the pioneers of a new, inclusive era of tech leadership on the continent.”

Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, also delivered a heartfelt message, urging the graduates to let their values guide them as they navigate their careers.

“Hold tightly to your values. Let integrity guide your work, let innovation fuel your dreams, and let your impact speak louder than your résumé,” she encouraged.

The ceremony was filled with emotion as graduates shared their personal stories of transformation. One of them, Yetunde Kayode, now a certified data scientist, summed it up beautifully: “This program changed my life. I’m walking away empowered, skilled, and deeply grateful to Mrs. Ekeh and the TecHERdemy team for believing in us.”

Fifteen exceptional participants were also honoured for their outstanding performance and leadership during the program, reminding everyone that excellence comes in many forms.

TecHERdemy, which launched in November 2024, was built with a simple but powerful mission: to equip young Nigerian women with globally relevant digital skills and open doors to a tech career. But what happened over those six months went beyond just skills; it sparked a movement.

This graduation wasn’t just the end of a program. It was the beginning of a brighter, more inclusive future for tech in Africa.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

MTN Nigeria Faces Class Action Lawsuit over Alleged Data Mismanagement

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigerians have launched a class action lawsuit against MTN Nigeria, accusing the telecom giant of unexplained data usage and rapid depletion.

The controversy erupted after a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) showcased an individual’s interest in taking legal action, along with evidence of unusual data activity.

This post rallied many others to join the cause, sharing their own grievances and pledging support.

A Google Form was circulated to collect names of affected users, highlighting issues such as false data top-ups and excessive costs without value.

Comparisons to data usage and pricing in other countries only fueled the frustration, and numerous Nigerians expressed their determination to pursue justice.

Social media buzz amplified the issue, with mixed reactions ranging from encouragement to skepticism about the lawsuit’s potential impact.

Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria has not yet released an official response to these allegations.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending