(Ecofin Agency) - As mobile connectivity becomes vital for economic growth, poor service quality hampers productivity, disrupts transactions, and limits online access. This affects businesses, financial inclusion, and progress in the digital economy. Initiatives like the NCC’s Crowdsourcing Quality of Experience Project are key to ensuring reliable connectivity and smooth digital operations nationwide.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with SWEDFUND, has launched a Crowdsourcing Quality of Experience Project to improve telecom service delivery across Nigeria. The NCC announced the agreement on February 8 via a LinkedIn post, revealing that it was signed by Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO of NCC, and the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englund.

“This initiative will leverage real-time data to provide insights on quality of experience and network performance from the consumers' perspective,” the NCC stated in its LinkedIn post.

Crowdsourcing quality of experience involves collecting service feedback from a large group of users. This approach captures diverse perspectives beyond controlled lab tests and offers more realistic insights by gathering data directly from users in real-world settings.

The project will help regulators identify issues like Dropped calls, Slow internet speeds, and Weak coverage. By using this data, the NCC can hold telecom providers accountable, improve policy decisions, and guide network expansion in underserved areas.

Telecom service quality is a global concern, and in Nigeria, regulators have consistently emphasized its impact on social and economic life. The NCC has been committed to ensuring Nigerians receive the service they pay for, regularly penalizing operators for failing to meet obligations. In 2024, the commission introduced new key performance indicators, reinforcing the importance of this issue.

Reliable telecom services are vital for emergencies, business operations, financial transactions, economic growth, and national security. They ensure quick response times, prevent business disruptions, enable secure transactions, and support economic and security efforts. High service quality is key to societal well-being and trust.

Hikmatu Bilali