If you experience poor network service quality in the days ahead, it might be due to load shedding. Reports by The Guardian Nigeria News state that some telecom operators have allegedly started implementing load shedding in specific areas to trim operational costs as the economic challenges deepen and may become poorer in days to come.
What is load shedding?
Load shedding is the deliberate and temporary cutting off of a service, in this case, network services, to certain areas to prevent a widespread blackout. The aim is to balance the supply and demand of network services, ensuring that their supply remains stable and does not damage the electrical grid.
Is Nigeria considering load shedding?
Nigeria relies heavily on fossil fuels like oil and gas to meet its energy needs. However, the country’s domestic energy production has not kept pace with its growing demand for electricity, leading to shortages and power cuts. According to telecoms expert Kehinde Aluko, with the unreliable power supply in Nigeria, telecoms companies spend a fortune on diesel to keep generators running.
“They were promised 18 hours of daily power when telecoms started in 2001, but reality has been a far cry from that. On average, they get only 8-10 hours of power daily, meaning they’ve had to fill the gap with costly alternatives,” he stated.
In the last 18 months, telecommunications companies in Nigeria have voiced concerns regarding the substantial increase in operational costs, the impact of the Naira devaluation, and soaring inflation. To tackle these issues, they have proposed a tariff hike, accentuating that the last modification occurred 11 years ago, a proposal the government is currently opposing.
In response to the continuous advocacy for tariff increases, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, recently advised operators to “explore innovative solutions to counter inflationary pressures and high operating costs.”
In an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators in Nigeria, denied that telecoms companies had begun load shedding. “It is untrue. There is nothing like shedding loads by companies. We said that the current wave and atmosphere was not friendly for business environments…but we have not gotten to the load shedding stage,” he said.
When asked about the possibility if the issues persist, Adebayo said it was possible, given the current economic issues facing telecom companies. He said, “We don’t pray we get to that stage, but if the issues raised persist, load shedding may occur.”
Currently, no telecommunications service provider has confirmed plans to begin load-shedding. However, it has become paramount for stakeholders to collaborate effectively in addressing concerns and finding sustainable solutions to mitigate its introduction in Nigeria.
This is a developing story.
