The Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) recently established a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to address the persistent issue of fiber optic cuts and damages caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities.

These disruptions have had a significant negative impact on telecommunications services across Nigeria.

The Joint Standing Committee on Protection of Fiber Optic Cables was inaugurated Tuesday 18th February at the Boardroom of the FMoW, by Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, the permanent secretary, and his counterpart at the FMoCIDE, Engr Farouk Yusuf, with the attendance of Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman/chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

The Committee is comprised of key staff from the two ministries and the NCC.

The main assignment of the joint Standing Committee is to establish and maintain clear communication/co-ordination channels between the two ministries and the NCC in order to limit and prevent damage to Telecommunications Fiber Optic cables during road constructions or rehabilitation activities.

Engr. Adebiyi, while inaugurating the Committee, directed it to establish modalities to ensure the reduction of damage to deployed fiber optic cables resulting from road construction and maintenance activities, as well as vandalism which has caused severe incidences of service disruption across the country.

He said the Committee will serve as a coordinating body for all issues pertaining to the protection of fiber optic cables, before, during and after the completion of road constructions or maintenance activities, and will meet on a regular basis to discuss identified problems, agree on industry-wide solutions, set standard engagement processes and procedures, as well as share monthly performance reports.

“They are also expected to develop an instant communication mechanism to facilitate prompt communication and dissemination of information amongst all stakeholders,” he said.

He assured that going forward, the Ministry will ensure that the placement of fiber cables will be considered in the planning, design and construction of the country’s road networks, and would include providing for ducts during constructions.

Engr. Adebiyi further stated that the committee will work closely with all Federal Controllers of Works (FCW) to give attention to the task of protecting this sensitive infrastructure during the planning and implementation stages of projects across the roads in the country, while aligning with the telecom operators on all ongoing and future projects.

Engr. Farouk Yusuf, in his remarks, highlighted the significance of fiber optics cables to the country’s economy, stating that fiber networks are the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, enabling the seamless delivery of both fixed and mobile broadband services essential for nationwide connectivity, economic growth, and technological innovation.

He noted that the Committee’s work is crucial to ensuring that telecommunication services are not hampered by the work of construction companies.

Dr. Aminu Maida, the EVC/CEO of NCC, emphasized the significance of the Committee’s mandate, noting that it has the potential to significantly reduce service disruptions across Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

“This is a pivotal moment for the telecommunication industry and its customers. Fiber networks are the foundation of Nigeria’s broadband ecosystem, providing the essential high-capacity backhaul required to deliver ultra-fast 4G and 5G speeds, as these next-generation mobile technologies rely on fiber infrastructure to ensure low latency, high reliability, and seamless data transmission.

“Last year, we experienced over 50,000 fiber cuts incidents across the country of which around 30,000 were attributed to Federal and State Road construction activities. In the extreme, some of these incidents had led to major network outages like the February 2024 nationwide MTN network outage.

“A key contributor to the increasing number of fiber cuts attributed to road construction activities is the lack of an efficient handshake mechanism between road construction companies and operators of the fiber infrastructure.

“I am optimistic that the work of this Committee will lead to a significant reduction in fiber cuts attributed to road construction which would then reduce network outages, avoid unnecessary expenditure on repair works and reduce the need to put redundant routes in place to serve as alternatives whenever there are outages due to fiber cuts.

“This initiative is not just for the benefit of the telecommunications industry but for all Nigerians. Every time a fiber cut occurs, consumers experience service disruptions. The industry is forced to invest in costly redundancy measures, but if we can prevent these avoidable disruptions, operators can redirect resources towards network expansion and infrastructure improvement,” Dr. Maida stated.

This growth serves as a testament to the country’s progress in the realm of connectivity and economic development.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), continues to play a pivotal role as the regulator, placing paramount importance on ensuring the Quality of Service (QoS).

It is sad to note that QoS was an issue at the beginning. By beginning, we are talking of the licensing of GSM operators and commencement of service in 2001 (for convenience we’ll ignore the NITEL Years). QoS is still an issue today.

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QoS, in essence, encapsulates a comprehensive set of measures and standards aimed at delivering consistent and top-notch telecommunications services to end-users. It’s not just about providing connectivity; it’s about ensuring reliability, network performance, data speed, and an overall seamless user experience.

The significance of QoS cannot be overstated. For consumers, it means experiencing uninterrupted connectivity, swift access to information, and seamless communication. Meeting these expectations directly influences customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Beyond consumers, businesses benefit immensely from superior QoS, gaining a competitive edge, retaining customers, and building a positive brand reputation. Conversely, subpar QoS can lead to customer dissatisfaction and loss, affecting both consumers and businesses alike.

Achieving superior QoS hinges on several key strategies. Continuous investment in robust infrastructure forms the backbone, ensuring reliable connections and network expansion. So far, over $76 billion has been invested in the sector in over 20 years.

With the country’s landmass and huge population, it is crystal that much more investment is required to boost QoS.

In addition, embracing cutting-edge technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT can further enhance speed, capacity, and network efficiency. Fortunately, operators are already working in these spheres.

The regulatory, NCC has a critical role to play in setting and enforcing QoS standards, ensuring service providers maintain a certain quality level. Experts concede that the regulator is doing what it can. It evidently is not enough.

So today, despite best efforts, challenges persist. Take network congestion. Network congestion during peak times poses a significant hurdle, necessitating innovative solutions like load balancing and network optimization.

Moreover, stringent security measures are essential to protect against cyber threats and safeguard user privacy, both integral components of reliable services.

There is also an urgent need for the protection of physical infrastructure and equipment. It is time to heed calls to classify telecommunications infrastructure across the country, as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).

Telecommunications today are an indispensable asset in the quest for national development and economic growth, infrastructure that supports the provision of service must be kept safe.

Moving forward, collaboration among telcos, regulators, and tech providers is vital to setting and achieving QoS benchmarks while fostering innovation. Continuous evaluation, feedback mechanisms, and adaptation to emerging technologies are crucial in meeting evolving consumer needs.

In addition, establishing transparent reporting mechanisms and holding stakeholders accountable further enhances trust among consumers and regulators.

It is equally important to make it easier for operators to lay cables and connect our communities. The era of unbridled quest to rip off telcos in the name of “right of way” fees by state governors must stop. Telecommunications infrastructure benefits all of us, providing connections that enable socio-economic transformation. It improves the quality of life of citizens.

To the NCC, I will say this, the commitment to QoS should be more than a mere directive; it should be viewed for what it is – a fundamental necessity. Dr. Aminu Maida, the new Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, must take this to heart.

Undoubtedly, upholding high standards in telecommunications benefits consumers, businesses, and the industry at large. As technology advances and demands evolve, the pursuit of superior QoS remains crucial. It’s imperative to prioritize and elevate the quality of telecommunications services, and this endeavour requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.

After all, the purpose of a product or service is utility – the satisfaction it brings to the consumer.

Eromosele, a corporate communication professional and public affairs analyst, wrote via: elviseroms@gmail.com