Airtel Aims for Wider Coverage with Launch of 5G Network

By Vanessa Obioha 

With about 60 million subscribers in Nigeria as of last April, Airtel is aiming to make its network more accessible and widespread in the country with the launch of the fifth-generation (5G) network. The telecommunications company joins the growing list of networks that are licensed to operate the 5G technology.

“5G is a completely new experience that supercharges cloud computing, telemedicine, self-driving cars, cloud gaming, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR & VR), Internet of Things (IoT), Smart homes, and so much more,” said Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Carl Cruz during its launch on Monday.

He pointed out that 5G opens a new vista where anything and everything is possible. 

“Our goal at Airtel Nigeria, therefore, is to make 5G accessible and widespread in the country.” 

The company revealed that the service is only live in Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory. It aims to be present in all parts of the country by the end of its current financial year.

To ensure its accessibility, the company partnered with Samsung to provide affordable 5G-enabled devices at N122,000. 

 “5G is not meant to be out of reach. Airtel has come in to democratise 5G, not make it complex,” said Airtel Nigeria Chief Commercial Officer, Femi Oshinlaja.

Airtel’s 5G debut follows its 2022 acquisition of a 3500MHz spectrum band from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for $316.7 million.