The Network Challenge: A Matter of Quality and Reliability

There is a familiar scene across Africa: you're standing in a bustling market, phone to your ear, ready to share a vital message. But all you get in return is the deafening silence of a dropped call. Frustrated, you glance at your phone—there, staring back at you, are full network bars. Yet, the connection evaporates before you can even say, "Hello." Such moments make one think of the Yoruba proverb: “A ki n ka aso lo si oja ki a so wipe ko ba je nibe”—you don't go to the market without the expectation of finding something valuable. In much the same way, when we pay for telecom services in Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya, we expect to receive value—quality service, reliable connectivity. But all too often, this is not the case.

Today, in the fast-paced world of instant messaging, virtual meetings, and online banking, telecommunications is as critical as electricity or water. Whether it's a farmer in Mali using mobile money or a Lagos-based entrepreneur conducting a Zoom meeting, we are all dependent on telecom networks to function smoothly. Yet, much like an unreliable friend who constantly disappoints, network services in Africa have left many disconnected at the very moments when connectivity is most critical.

This article takes us on a journey through the common problems undermining the quality and reliability of network services in the continent—from dropped calls and agonizingly slow internet speeds to overcrowded networks and patchy coverage. It explores the root causes of these issues and offers practical solutions for telecom operators and regulators alike.

?

When Calls Become Ghosts: The Plague of Dropped Calls and Poor Voice Quality

Let’s begin with one of the most frustrating experiences we’ve all faced—the ghost of the dropped call. Imagine making an important business call while navigating through the chaos of Lagos traffic, only to have your call vanish mid-conversation. It’s like the Hausa proverb: “Kowa ya yi zabe, ya zauna ya jira”—he who casts a vote waits for the outcome. But with telecom services, we often wait in vain, hoping for a stable line that never materializes.

The challenge isn't just dropped calls; poor voice quality is equally maddening. Sometimes, even when a call does connect, the voice on the other end sounds as if it's coming from a distant planet—crackling, distorted, and unintelligible. For users in rural or low-coverage areas, this is a daily reality. The irony is that in some urban hotspots, where mobile networks are stretched beyond capacity during peak hours, the same problem occurs. Behind this issue is a lack of adequate infrastructure to match the growing demand.

?

Slow Internet Speeds: The Data Train Crawls to a Halt

In a world driven by data, slow internet is like being stuck in traffic on the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge when others are cruising down fast highways. Across Africa, people are all too familiar with the frustration of staring at a buffering video or waiting for a webpage to load. Whether it's during high-traffic periods—like weekends—or in underdeveloped areas, the internet often crawls to a halt.

Now, imagine being a young entrepreneur in Nairobi, trying to sell handcrafted products online. Poor internet doesn’t just cause frustration; it can limit sales, disrupt customer engagement, and even ruin the online shopping experience. Or think of the student in rural Uganda trying to join an online class—slow speeds can turn what should be a simple learning process into an ordeal.

?

Network Congestion: Too Many People, Too Little Bandwidth

Network congestion in Africa mirrors the traffic on the busy streets of Kampala, Nairobi, or Accra—far too many vehicles on a road that wasn’t built to handle the volume. Telecom networks, much like highways, were designed to accommodate a certain amount of traffic. But in this digital age, with data-hungry applications like Netflix, Zoom, and TikTok, these networks are being pushed to the brink. The result? Slower speeds, frequent call drops, and a general decline in service quality.

The root of the problem is that telecom operators, in many cases, have built networks that are akin to narrow dirt roads, when what we need are multi-lane highways. As more people come online and rely on data-heavy apps, these networks are struggling to cope with the surge in demand.

?

Network Outages: When the Lights Go Out

Another all-too-common experience in many parts of Africa is the dreaded network outage. Picture this: you’re about to close a critical online transaction, and suddenly, the network disappears. No bars, no data, nothing. This isn’t a rare event—it’s a daily reality for many. Whether it's due to maintenance issues, power failures, or environmental disruptions like floods or storms, outages leave millions of people without service, sometimes for hours or even days.

For businesses, these outages are not just an inconvenience—they represent lost revenue and damaged reputations. Imagine an online retail business in South Africa or an emerging fintech startup in Kenya. Every minute offline costs money and erodes consumer trust.

?

The Rural Divide: Left Behind in the Network Race

In the bustling streets of African megacities, you may have slow speeds or congestion, but at least there's some form of coverage. For many in rural Africa, it's a different story entirely. There are vast swathes of the continent where telecom coverage is sparse or non-existent. Consider a farmer in Ethiopia, unable to receive timely market prices because his village is outside the network's reach, or a teacher in rural Zambia who cannot access online educational resources.

This digital divide only widens the gap between the haves and have-nots, particularly between urban and rural populations. For many in the countryside, modern connectivity remains a distant dream, limiting opportunities and leaving millions excluded from the digital economy.

?

Why Are These Problems So Persistent?

An Igbo proverb comes to mind: “Nwa-nkita nwa-nkita, ?b? mgbe nta ka o ga-adi”—even a small puppy will eventually grow into a dog. In the context of Africa's telecom sector, small problems left unchecked have now grown into significant challenges. But why?

First, there’s the issue of inadequate investment in infrastructure. Many telecom operators across the continent rake in profits but are slow to reinvest in upgrading their networks. Some are operating with equipment that should have been retired years ago especially telecom towers. Then there's the issue of limited spectrum availability—particularly in highly populated urban centers where the demand far exceeds what current infrastructure can support.

Another challenge is the rapid growth in data demand. With smartphones now widespread and applications like video streaming, gaming, and cloud computing becoming the norm, operators are finding it difficult to keep up. Environmental factors, such as harsh terrain in certain regions, also complicate efforts to build out the necessary infrastructure. And in some cases, a lack of regulatory oversight has allowed telecom companies to get away with offering subpar services.

?

The Way Forward: Fixing Africa's Telecom Woes

What is the solution? As the Yoruba say, “Igi kan ko le da igbo se”—one tree does not make a forest. It will take collective effort, from both operators and regulators, to solve Africa’s network issues. Telecom companies must start by investing in infrastructure—upgrading equipment, expanding coverage, and adopting new technologies like 5G that can handle higher data loads. Governments, on their part, must ensure that spectrum is allocated fairly and that rural areas aren’t left behind.

Infrastructure sharing among telecom operators can also help address cost challenges. Instead of building separate towers, companies can share resources, reducing operational costs while expanding coverage. Finally, proactive network maintenance and disaster recovery plans should be prioritized, so that issues are identified and resolved before they cause major disruptions.

?

Looking Ahead: A 5G Future

As Africa looks towards the future, the arrival of 5G technology holds significant promise. With faster speeds, lower latency, and greater network capacity, 5G could be the key to unlocking a new era of reliable telecom services across the continent. However, this vision will only be realized if operators are willing to invest in the necessary infrastructure, and if governments create the right regulatory environment to foster competition and innovation.

In conclusion, Africa's telecom sector is at a crossroads. The challenges are clear, but so are the solutions. With coordinated action, we can ensure that, in the near future, dropped calls, slow internet, and patchy coverage will be relics of the past, replaced by fast, reliable networks that keep all Africans connected.