Operators Blame Poor Telecom Services On Theft, Vandalism

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has attributed the current poor quality of telecom services across the country to vandalism, fibre optic cable cuts and diesel theft.

Chairman of the association, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, explained that the numerous complaints about dropped calls, weak signals and service disruptions are mainly due to sabotage of telecommunications infrastructure rather than deliberate neglect by network operators.

He made these comments during a public discussion prompted by concerns raised by veteran broadcaster Jimi Disu regarding the recurring “dead call” phenomenon affecting subscribers nationwide.

The ALTON chairman also said that one of the major challenges facing telecom operators is the frequent destruction of fibre-optic cables during road construction and excavation activities, as well as the theft of diesel used to power base stations in regions with unreliable electricity supply.

He clarified that the high costs of building and maintaining telecom infrastructure have limited operators’ independence, prompting many to adopt shared infrastructure models, such as colocation.

Adebayo highlighted that Nigeria’s telecom network is interconnected, meaning that disruptions in one area can ripple through the service in other parts of the country.

He dismissed claims that service providers intentionally offer poor quality, emphasising that operators continue to invest substantially in network expansion and maintenance despite rising operational challenges.

The ALTON chairman also pointed out the security threats faced by technical teams, noting that engineers often cannot perform repairs at night due to attacks and intimidation by vandal groups.

Citing an example in Lekki, Lagos, he said some communities have endured months without public electricity, complicating efforts to ensure seamless telecom services where sites rely heavily on diesel generators.

He warned that unless urgent measures are taken to secure vital telecom infrastructure, subscribers may continue to experience dropped calls and network outages.

Adebayo called for enhanced collaboration among government agencies, local communities, and security forces to safeguard telecom infrastructures, describing it as a critical national asset.

He added that raising public awareness and fostering a national attitude committed to protecting key infrastructure are essential to maintaining progress in the sector.