Mr Jide Awe, a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Advisor, on Saturday urged telecommunication operators to give priority to improving Quality of Services (QoS).
Awe, who is also the Founder of Jidaw.com, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that it was necessary to improve the current poor QoS using strategic investment in infrastructure to support current and future needs.
Awe said that these future needs included increased number of users and increased traffic volumes of transactions among others.
He said: “Customer journey has evolved significantly over the years, largely influenced by the advancements in telecommunications technology.
“Customers now expect seamless and uninterrupted connectivity across multiple touchpoints, be it through their smartphones, laptops, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
“With this growing demand for connectivity, telecommunications companies needed to invest more in infrastructure that supports faster and more reliable connections.
“When enhancing infrastructure, telcos must notably improve the quality of service and ensure the security of infrastructure up to the desired standards of a dynamic digital economy.”
Awe said that the telecoms industry was plagued with right-of-way charges, multiple taxation and insecurity of telecoms infrastructure.
According to him, addressing these challenges is essential for consumer protection to ensure QoS standards are met, and that consumers receive the promised level of service quality.
The policy advisor added that solving the issues would also help in promoting affordable broadband services.
On the role of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) as a regulator, he said that the NCC needed to adopt an innovative, supportive, and visionary regulation approach that appreciated the importance of innovation and expansion.
“As new technologies continue to emerge, regulation cannot afford to be static. NCC should inculcate a spirit of innovation and growth in the sector.
“Innovative regulation helps to cultivate an environment that attracts investment to propel sectoral growth.
“Investor-friendly initiatives, simplification of regulations, strategic and disruptive thinking/approaches are crucial,” Awe said.
He urged the regulator to focus on fostering investment, competition and innovation in the telecom sector, adding that it would ultimately lead to increased access and improved connectivity for the Nigerian people.
