How fibre cable cuts, vandalism increase drop in QoS

•Construction firms fingered as major culprits
A major contributor to the perennial drop in quality of service has been identified as cuts to fibre optic cables belonging to telecommunications operators in the country.

This act of vandalism has been traced largely to the doorsteps of companies carrying out various construction works in the country.

The Guardian gathered that MTN alone suffered an average of eight fibre cuts daily across Nigeria. The firm, however, said earlier in February, it suffered 14 cuts in different places in one day.

A document sighted by The Guardian showed that some construction companies, including Crainberg, CCECC, Julius Berger, CGC, FERMA, KOPEC were fingered in the various damages to telecoms infrastructure, especially fibre optics cables.

The document showed that these cuts were largely noticed in some cities including Eket; Enugu; Agbor-Asaba; Ashikwue; Okapanam; Ikolaba; Abuja; Lafia; Owerri and Lagos.

Also, it was gathered that the spate of attacks and theft on telecoms facilities is increasing. Some of the operators put the rate at over 35 per cent, almost yearly.

Between June 2017 and August 2018, information from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), showed that the sector recorded over 33,000 cases of vandalism and stealing of facilities from telecoms sites.

Last year, while calling for increased citizens’ watch, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said over 50,000 cases of major destruction to telecoms infrastructure and facilities have been reported across the country in the past five years, raising alarm over the implication of these incidents to the quality of telecommunications services in Nigeria.

Danbatta expressed worry over how these incidents have continued to affect the Quality of Experience, (QoE), of consumers, and called for concerted efforts by the members of the public, and security agencies, to stem this tide.

The EVC said the negative impacts of incessant vandalism of telecoms equipment, evidenced in fibre cuts, theft of telecoms facilities like generators at sites, vandalism of base stations, among other vices, have become a major burden on the service providers, while telecom consumers have continued to suffer unwarranted disruptions of their hard-earned services.

“The impact of vandalism of infrastructure is felt by all in the quality of services rendered as it results in increasing drop calls, data and Internet connectivity disruptions, aborted and undelivered short messaging services (SMS), as well as countless failed calls”, he said.

The NCC‘s Chief Executive Officer said that considering the well-known fact that the ability to connect and communicate is fundamental to human existence, improvement in business processes, government services and education, as well as social and family networking through seamless connections, every community should get involved in protecting the critical infrastructure that makes these services possible.

“Therefore, as a community, you are expected to report cases of vandalism of telecoms infrastructure to the nearest law enforcement agencies such as the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and also share adequate information received from NCC with your family, friends, and neighbours.

“We believe, with your cooperation as critical stakeholders in the telecoms sector, we can all work with the law enforcement authorities in protecting telecoms infrastructure in your community,” Danbatta stated to emphasise the role of the communities in protecting critical national assets.