Strengthening Telecommunications Through Balanced Media Coverage: Addressing Local Interference and Regulatory Challenges

Telecommunications has become a fundamental pillar of modern economies, driving communication, trade, national security, and social cohesion. From facilitating everyday conversations to supporting economic growth and enabling digital transformation, the telecommunications sector plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of nations.

Lanre Hambolu, Regulatory and Public Policy Expert

However, in recent years, this sector has faced significant disruptions that hinder its growth, much of which stems from interference at the local level. These disruptions—caused by local miscreants (“Area Boys”) and regulatory actions from state and local governments—have placed substantial strain on telecommunications companies, affecting their ability to operate efficiently and expand their networks.

Recently, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) convened in Lagos to address these and other issues, bringing together a broad range of stakeholders including regulators, law enforcement agencies, and infrastructure providers. Hosted by IHS Nigeria, a leading provider of shared communications infrastructure, the meeting underscored the urgent need for a multi-stakeholder action plan aimed at protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) assets.

Recognizing the vital role that telecommunications play in supporting national development, the stakeholders discussed strategies to mitigate challenges such as vandalism, theft of telecom equipment, and unauthorized access to telecom sites.

They agreed that a collaborative approach, including the use of technology for real-time monitoring and enhanced security measures, is critical for safeguarding these assets. The meeting also highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns to engage communities in protecting telecommunications infrastructure.

In this article, the writer aims to contribute to the growing call for stronger collaboration between telecommunications companies and the media. The writer believes that it is crucial to have more balanced, informed, and comprehensive coverage—one that not only highlights the challenges faced by the industry but also underscores the strategic importance of the telecommunications ecosystem. By offering a deeper, more nuanced perspective, the writer hopes this article will help the public better understand the complexities of the sector, while also supporting its continued growth and development.

The Media’s Role in Shaping Public Understanding

The media wields considerable influence in shaping public perception, influencing policymakers, and framing the discourse around various industries. In the case of telecommunications, the coverage provided by news outlets can significantly impact how the industry is perceived by the public, businesses, and government stakeholders. While the media often highlights the challenges faced by the telecommunications sector, these issues are sometimes presented without adequate context, leading to misinterpretations and, at times, unfair stigmatization of companies operating in the space.

One of the most pressing challenges facing telecommunications companies today is interference by local miscreants and various state or local government actions that disrupt operations. These issues, while not always visible to the general public, have far-reaching consequences for the industry and the millions of people who depend on telecommunication services for daily communication, business transactions, and access to information.

Key Issues in Telecommunications: The Need for Balanced Coverage

Telecommunications companies are grappling with multiple challenges that hinder their ability to serve the public effectively. Local disruptions and regulatory barriers often prevent these companies from deploying necessary infrastructure or maintaining operational continuity. Here’s a deeper look at the key issues where balanced media coverage is essential:

1. Local Interference from “Area Boys” and Criminal Elements A significant source of disruption for telecommunications companies is the interference caused by local miscreants, commonly referred to as “Area Boys.” These individuals often extort telecommunications companies by demanding illegal payments or threatening to vandalize sites and equipment. Such activities not only increase operational costs but also lead to delays in project rollouts, as companies must deal with the fallout from these extortions.

Balanced Coverage: The media plays a crucial role in highlighting these challenges and raising awareness about the negative impact of such criminal behavior on the telecommunications sector. By covering these issues with the necessary context, the media can help the public understand the complexity of providing services in environments where criminal elements disrupt business operations.

2. State and Local Government Regulatory Actions Despite telecommunications being a jurisdiction reserved in the exclusive list of the Nigerian Constitution, State and local governments indirectly have the power to affect telecom operations as they often impose restrictions on telecommunications infrastructure, sometimes without considering the broader impact on service delivery.

These actions can include delays in granting permits, sudden increases in taxes or levies, and the arbitrary shutdown of sites under the guise of regulation. Such actions create uncertainty for telecommunications companies, stalling infrastructure development and hindering the provision of services to underserved communities.

Balanced Coverage: Journalists should focus on the impact of regulatory actions on the telecommunications sector, emphasizing the need for clear and predictable policies that foster growth. By reporting on both the challenges posed by local governments and the efforts by telecommunications companies to comply with regulations, the media can help create a more informed dialogue about the sector’s needs and constraints.

3. Revenue Loss and Service Disruptions Local interference and regulatory delays lead to significant revenue loss for telecommunications companies. A single site lock-up due to extortion or regulatory action can result in millions of naira in lost revenue, in addition to the reputational damage and business disruption it causes. These interruptions not only affect the companies but also disrupt services for end-users, including businesses and individuals who rely on uninterrupted communication for access to emergency services, work, education, and personal connections.

Balanced Coverage: The media can help amplify the socio-economic consequences of such disruptions by providing detailed coverage of the societal threats constituted by disconnection of services on the one hand, and the financial losses telecommunications companies face on the other. This approach will shed light on the broader socio-economic implications of these interruptions, including the negative effects on job creation, technological innovation, and national competitiveness.

4. Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Challenges Telecommunications infrastructure is crucial to Mobile Network Operator’s (MNO) drive for network coverage expansion and improvement in service quality. However, local interference and delays in regulatory approvals have hindered the timely deployment of critical infrastructure, such as Base Transceiver Stations (BTS). Additionally, opposition from local communities, often fueled by misinformation about the safety of such technologies, further complicates infrastructure development.

Balanced Coverage: The media must play an educational role in addressing misconceptions about telecommunications infrastructure, such as the safety of BTS. By emphasizing the scientifically proven safety of these technologies and their importance in expanding network coverage, the media can foster a more informed public understanding of telecommunications infrastructure and its benefits to society. There is an abundance of written materials that are the outcome of research studies conducted by experts regarding the issue of BTS safety. Some of these materials have been published and are available on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) .

The Need for Collaborative Media Coverage

The media and the telecommunications industry must work together to ensure that the public receives accurate, balanced, and comprehensive coverage of the sector’s challenges and accomplishments. A partnership between the two can help foster greater awareness of the complexities faced by telecommunications companies, while also shedding light on the broader economic and social benefits that come from a thriving telecom sector.

Key Goals for Media-Telecommunications Collaboration

1. Promote Understanding of Local Disruptions The media possesses the ability to underscore the detrimental effects of local interference and criminal activities on the telecommunications sector. By bringing these issues to light, journalists can elevate public awareness regarding the necessity for enhanced security and protection for operational success in our demanding environment.

2. Emphasize the Importance of Clear Regulations Telecommunications companies rely on regulatory frameworks to operate efficiently. The media can encourage a more collaborative approach between telecom companies and government agencies to create clear and predictable regulations that support the growth of the sector, rather than hinder it with arbitrary restrictions.

3. Highlight the Economic and Social Impact of Service Disruptions Local interference and regulatory delays have far-reaching consequences that affect not just telecom companies, but the broader economy and society. The media should focus on the ripple effect of service disruptions, illustrating how interruptions in telecommunications services impact businesses, education, healthcare, and national security.

4. Address Public Concerns About Telecommunications Infrastructure As telecommunications companies work to expand and upgrade their networks, they often face opposition from local communities who are misinformed about the impact of new infrastructure. The media plays a critical role in educating the public about the benefits of telecommunications technology and the safety of infrastructure such as BTS.

5. Promote the Strategic Importance of Telecommunications to National Development Telecommunications is not just a commercial sector—it is critical to national security, economic growth, and social development. The media should place greater emphasis on how the telecommunications sector contributes to these areas, helping the public understand its importance beyond just communication services.

Conclusion: A Unified Approach for Sector Growth

Telecommunications is essential to modern society, supporting everything from economic activity to national security. However, the writer acknowledges that the sector faces ongoing challenges, including local interference and regulatory hurdles, which hinder its ability to grow and meet public demand. The writer believes that fostering a collaborative partnership between the media and the telecommunications industry can ensure the public receives balanced and accurate coverage of the sector’s issues and achievements. This partnership will raise awareness, promote understanding, and ultimately contribute to the sector’s growth, benefiting businesses, consumers, and the nation as a whole.

By Lanre Hambolu, Regulatory and Public Policy Expert