Airtel launches 5G services in Lagos, Abuja two other cities

Airtel Nigeria, has officially launched services riding on the fifth generation (5G) technology in the country.

The launch brings to three the total number of operators offering services on the technology which promises to deliver super-fast data services and redefine services in other sectors of the economy including medicine, agric, and others.

MTN Nigeria pioneered the launch of the service which was followed by Mafab Communications.

Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, said 5G services will be available in four major cities of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States, adding that services would be extended to other parts of the country subsequently.

Airtel Networks Limited had earlier in January announced the payment of $316.7 million for 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band for the deployment of fifth-generation network and 2x5MHz of 2600MHz to boost its fourth-generation coverage in the country to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, said: “Investment in new technologies and local infrastructure to enable this growth is a strategic priority for the Group and will ensure we are able to provide reliable and affordable services to local communities across the country. 5G is critical to these ambitions, and we look forward to launching new services to drive further digitalisation across the country, facilitate economic progress and transform lives across Nigeria.

Ogunsanya had said in an announcement on the Nigerian Exchange entitled: ‘Nigeria 4G and 5G Spectrum Acquisition.’

According to telecoms industry group, Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA), 5G adoption has continued to rise due to new network deployments and cheaper devices.

As of January 2023, there were 229 commercial 5G networks around the world and over 700 5G smartphone models had been launched, including more than 200 in 2022.

The number of connections on legacy networks (2G and 3G) will continue to decline in the coming years as users migrate to 4G and 5G, resulting in more network shutdowns. To date, operators have announced plans to shut down 96 2G networks and 107 3G networks around the world, according to GSMA.