Airtel Nigeria Launches 5G, Partners Samsung to Provide Affordable 5G Phones

Olufemi Adeyemi 

Airtel Nigeria has officially launched fifth generation (5G) technology in the country to intensify competition among industry player, attract new customers and improve its market share.

L-R: Channel and Operator Business Manager, Samsung Nigeria, Solomon Osibeluwo; Head of Marketing, Samsung Nigeria, Chika Nnadozie; Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz; MX Division Manager, Samsung Nigeria, Nathan Lee; Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja and Marketing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Ishmail Adeshina; during the launch of Airtel Nigeria 5G on Monday, June 19, 2023

Leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the launch of its 5G network in Nigeria in line with its commitment to providing innovative solutions that empower its customers to stay connected and do more beyond their imaginations. This was announced alongside Airtel’s partnership with Samsung to provide some of the most affordable 5G devices in the country.

With the launch of 5G, Airtel will be offering this cutting-edge technology, which promises to revolutionize the way Nigerians stay connected. The 5G network is expected to offer faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity, providing Airtel customers with a seamless and enhanced digital experience.

Commenting on the launch, Airtel Nigeria CEO, Carl Cruz, said, "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. While we may think that 4G is a remarkable improvement on our internet experiences, 5G completely opens a new vista where anything and everything is possible. Right now, with 5G, we can only be limited by the limits of our imagination.”

Cruz also described a link between the 5G launch and the company’s current marketing campaign, A Reason to Imagine.

“If you go by our recently-launched brand theme – A Reason to Imagine – you will notice that it fits perfectly with this paradigm shift. With 5G, it is more achievable to empower creatives and entrepreneurs in tech, medicine, fashion, retail, communications, and media to bring executive more adventurous ideas. 5G ushers in a new era of collaboration that breaks boundaries and presents a new wave of economic benefits for this generation and the next, and we cannot wait to see how young people all over the country explore this new world of instant and unbroken connections to unleash a revolution in creativity,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, said, “5G is simple and not meant to be out of reach, which is why Airtel has come to democratize 5G, so that Nigerians can get the most affordable 5G routers. We are also glad to have partnered with Samsung to deliver the most affordable 5G mobile phone for 122,000 naira only.”

According to Airtel, the Airtel 5G network is available in key cities across Nigeria, and Airtel will continue to expand its coverage to other parts of the country in the coming months.”

Airtel has been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to its customers in Nigeria since its inception. The launch of 5G is another milestone in telecom industry in Nigeria, as it will drive economic growth and innovation while providing faster and more reliable connectivity to Nigerians.

L-R: IT Director, Seun Solanke; Director, Internal Assurance, Ngozi Akamelu; Director, Airtel Business, Ogo Ofomata; Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Carl Cruz; Director, Human Resources, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias; Chief Technical Officer, Gabriele Sgariglia; Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Femi Adeniran; and Chief Commercial Officer, Femi Oshinlaja, all of Airtel Nigeria; during the launch of Airtel Nigeria 5G in Lagos on Monday, June 19, 2023.

L-R: Regional Operating Director, North West, Adeolu Balogun; Regional Operating Director, West, Tolu Adeniyi; Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Carl Cruz; Chief Commercial Officer, Femi Oshinlaja; and Regional Operating Director, South-East, Olayiwola Akinwunmi; all of Airtel Nigeria, during the launch of Airtel Nigeria 5G in Lagos on Monday, June 19, 2023

With the 5G license procurement, Airtel becomes the third telecom operator to obtain a license for this advanced technology in Nigeria which promises to deliver super-fast data services and redefine services in other sectors of the economy including medicine, agric, and others.

In 2021, MTN Nigeria and Mafab Nigeria Communications Limited secured the initial two lots of 100 MHz TDD slots within the 3.5 GHz band.

According to recent data released by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Airtel currently controls 27.01 percent of the national mobile subscriber base, while other competitors like 9mobile, Globacom, and MTN hold market shares of 6 percent, 27.28 percent, and 39.70 percent respectively.

By introducing 5G technology, Airtel aims to establish a foothold in the ultra-broadband segment, which has so far been dominated by MTN. The latter launched its 5G network in September 2022, while Mafab Communications has been offering 5G services since January this year.