Subscribers of Globacom have expressed mixed reactions to the ongoing network upgrade being carried out by the telecom giant, following recent challenges in service delivery.
While some users acknowledged improvements in data speed and general connectivity, others complained of continued service disruptions, unresolved issues, and poor customer support.
Mr Emmanuel Chukwufumnaya, a student at the University of Lagos, said his data purchase of N7,000, which initially went uncredited, was eventually restored.
“This shows there was a problem, but it seems to have been rectified. The refund came almost immediately after I received a message about network improvement,” he said.
A civil servant, Mrs Tobechukwu Agiri, also confirmed noticeable improvements in her browsing experience.
“Internet service has been seamless and fast all day,” she said.
However, not all users shared the same experience. Miss Anthonia Onyinyechukwu, another student, noted that she had seen little to no improvement in service quality.
Similarly, NYSC member Okunzuwa Ighodaro expressed frustration over his inability to retrieve a lost SIM card for over a month, an issue affecting his access to banking services.
“I can’t even withdraw from my account because a code required to activate it was sent to the SIM I’m trying to retrieve,” he said.
Mrs Chinyere Joel also lamented ongoing disruptions.
“It has been over two weeks now without improvement. My phone still shows ‘no service,’ and it’s seriously affecting my workflow,” she said.
In a recent statement, Globacom outlined an extensive network upgrade plan aimed at improving customer experience nationwide.
The company said it had deployed new base stations in underserved areas and increased network capacity in high-density regions. The upgrade also includes relocating fibre infrastructure affected by road construction projects in locations such as Auchi–Okene, Benin–Ekpoma, Lafia–Akwanga, Minna–Abuja, and Funtua–Gusau.
“We decided at a huge cost to relocate the fibres, many of which had been vandalised due to uncoordinated road construction activities,” the company said.
Globacom added that it had rolled out thousands of 4G LTE sites this year, with several hundred more underway. Additional efforts include upgrading backhaul capacity via fibre and microwave technologies, expanding LTE coverage, and investing in hybrid power solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
Despite these strides, the company raised concerns over ongoing vandalism of telecom infrastructure, which it described as critical national assets.
Globacom called for stronger protection and more coordinated efforts to safeguard its equipment and improve user experience across the country.
(NAN)