By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
WEAK SIGNAL zones across Nigeria are silently forcing phones to work harder, draining batteries faster and cutting performance, according to a new industry study that warns consumers are paying a hidden cost for unstable connectivity.
Fresh data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and global network analytics firm Ookla shows that millions of mobile users experience rapid battery drain, slower internet speeds and overheating devices in areas with poor signal stability, even where coverage appears available on maps.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the findings are detailed in The Real Mobile Experience, a nationwide study prepared by Ookla on behalf of the NCC.
Researchers analysed millions of anonymised network data points to identify so-called “high-stress” zones where smartphones expend extra power simply to stay connected.
Areas tagged as “orange zones” showed the strongest link between weak signals and excessive battery consumption.
By comparing power usage during peak afternoon hours (12:00–16:00) with off-peak night periods, the study identified the worst-affected 10 per cent of locations where devices recorded the highest drain rates.
“In these zones, users are not just losing power, but losing performance,” the report noted.
▪️Slower speeds, higher lag
▪️Performance tests revealed a clear decline in network quality:
▪️Download speeds 21 per cent slower
▪️Upload speeds 30 per cent slower
It also noted that latency increased by an average of 7 milliseconds
Researchers added that the impact is most visible during video calls, online gaming and other real-time applications where lag and buffering become more frequent.
The study also mapped “thermal stress zones,” often marked in red, where phones overheat while compensating for poor signal conditions and heavy data processing.
According to Ookla, overheating activates built-in safety mechanisms that throttle device processors to prevent damage.
The result is further performance loss – including 23 percent lower download speeds – along with increased buffering and potential long-term hardware degradation that can shorten a smartphone’s lifespan.
Beyond individual inconvenience, the report warned of a broader ‘digital quality divide’.
While traditional coverage maps show where signals exist, Ookla said they do not reflect signal stability, which can vary sharply between neighbourhoods.
Also, users in weaker areas end up paying what the study described as a “hidden tax” through frequent charging, reduced productivity and faster device wear.
Ookla also added that poor network quality may restrict mobility as users stay close to charging points and reliable signals, undermining efforts toward digital inclusion.
Separate figures from the NCC’s Industry Performance Report for Q4 2025 indicate that next-generation connectivity remains patchy, even in major cities as 5G is still limited.
As of the fourth quarter:
▪️55.4 percent of Lagos had no 5G coverage
▪️47.4 percent of Abuja lacked access
Speaking at the report’s presentation, Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, said areas with 5G availability have generally delivered the higher speeds promised during the spectrum auction.
However, he acknowledged that limited rollout continues to blunt its nationwide impact.
He said Lagos’ 5G coverage gap narrowed from 70.9 percent in Q3 to 55.4 percent in Q4, while Abuja’s improved from 65.6 percent to 47.4 percent, according to the commission adding that large portions of both cities remain underserved.
Also, as Nigeria accelerates its transition to 5G and broader mobile connectivity, the study stressed that signal availability alone will not guarantee better user experience.
Without stable, high-quality networks, Ookla said consumers will continue to bear the cost through degraded speeds, overheating devices and shorter smartphone lifespans.
For many users, the report suggests, the real price of poor connectivity is paid not just in dropped calls – but in batteries, performance and productivity.
