Finally! MTN, Glo, Airtel Will Pay Heavy Fines for Poor Network

Photo: Zac Wolff

If you're tired of that annoying 'call failed' message or watching your video buffer endlessly while your data disappears, then this news will make your day. Minister Bosun Tijani has just dropped a bombshell that could finally give us the network quality we deserve in Nigeria.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has given the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) just 90 days to start automatically penalizing telecom operators when their networks fail. Yes, you read that right - automatic penalties!

What This Really Means for You and Me

Let's be honest, we've all been there. You're about to close that important business deal over a phone call, and suddenly - dead silence. Or you're trying to send money via mobile banking, and the transaction fails three times while your account gets debited anyway. Even worse, you're enjoying your favorite Netflix series, and it starts buffering right at the climax!

For too long, Nigerian telecom companies have gotten away with substandard service while we continue paying full price for half-working networks. This new directive could change everything.

How Network Failures Cost Us Daily

Think about how many times poor network has cost you this week alone:

• Business losses: Missed client calls, failed online transactions, interrupted video conferences
• Social frustration: Can't post that perfect Instagram story, WhatsApp messages not delivering
• Educational impact: Students missing online classes, failed e-learning sessions
• Emergency situations: Unable to reach family during critical moments
• Financial stress: Paying for data that barely works, failed mobile money transfers

What Penalties Could Look Like

While the exact penalty structure hasn't been announced, similar regulations in other countries show promising results. Here's what we might expect:

Financial Penalties: Operators could face hefty fines for every hour of network downtime or service failure. This money could go toward infrastructure development or even consumer refunds.

Service Credits: Customers might receive automatic airtime or data credits when they experience service failures. Imagine getting compensated every time your call drops!

Quality Standards: Operators might be required to maintain minimum service levels, with real consequences for falling short.

Will This Actually Improve Our Networks?

The million-dollar question is whether financial penalties will force real improvements. Here's why it might work:

Money Talks: When poor service starts eating into profits, companies tend to take action quickly. No business wants to pay fines repeatedly.

Competition Pressure: If one operator faces heavy penalties while another maintains better service, customers will naturally migrate to the more reliable option.

Investment Incentive: Rather than pay continuous penalties, operators might find it cheaper to invest in better infrastructure.

The 90-Day Timeline: Realistic or Ambitious?

Three months might seem tight for implementing such a comprehensive penalty system, but it's probably intentional. The government is clearly tired of empty promises from telecom operators about network improvements.

This urgent timeline sends a strong message: no more excuses, no more delays. Either fix your networks or pay the price.

What You Can Do Right Now

While we wait for these penalties to kick in, here's how you can protect yourself:

• Document network failures with screenshots and timestamps
• Report poor service to your operator and the NCC
• Consider switching to more reliable operators in your area
• Use Wi-Fi calling apps when possible
• Keep alternative communication methods handy

The Bottom Line

This directive could be the game-changer Nigerian telecom consumers have been waiting for. For years, we've endured poor network quality while operators blame everything from weather to infrastructure challenges.

Now, with real financial consequences on the table, we might finally see the reliable networks we've been paying for all along. Whether this translates to better call quality, faster internet speeds, or more stable mobile money services remains to be seen.

One thing is certain though - telecom operators can no longer afford to take Nigerian consumers for granted. The days of 'network issues' being an acceptable excuse for poor service might finally be over.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and see if this bold move delivers the results we desperately need. After all, we deserve networks that work as hard as we do!