Evaluating the Impact of Advanced Communication Technologies on Data Transmission Efficiency and Reliability: Perspectives from Telecom End Users on Coding and Data Communication

Abstract

This empirical study examined the influence of advanced communication technologies (ACTs) specifically coding techniques and data communication systems on the efficiency and reliability of data transmission from the perspectives of Nigerian telecom end users. Despite widespread deployment of technologies such as fibre optics, broadband, and error-control coding (e.g., Turbo codes, LDPC, Reed-Solomon), users continue to report issues such as latency, data loss, and service inconsistency. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 350 respondents across Nsukka Metropolis in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria using structured questionnaire titled, Telecom End-Users Data Transmission Impact Questionnaire (TEDTIQ), with a reliability index of 0.87 Cronbach’s Alpha. Analysis revealed low user awareness of the technologies underpinning modern telecom services, and a disconnect between technical improvements and perceived service quality. Although ACTs theoretically enhance data integrity and throughput, end users did not significantly perceive improvements in real-world communication experiences. Findings show that infrastructure development alone is insufficient without corresponding investments in user education, last-mile connectivity, and power reliability. The study highlights that adoption and perceived effectiveness of ACTs are shaped not only by technical performance but also by users' understanding and daily experience. Grounded in frameworks such as Information Theory, the Technology Acceptance Model, and Diffusion of Innovations, the study concludes that user-centric metrics should inform future telecom policy and technological deployment. Recommendations include strengthening digital literacy campaigns, revising quality of service (QoS) benchmarks, and improving infrastructural resilience. This research contributes to the discourse on bridging the gap between theoretical communication system performance and actual user satisfaction in developing economies like Nigeria.