Emmanuel Ochayi
Airtel Nigeria has revealed that less than 1% of smartphones in Nigeria support Fifth Generation (5G) network technology, creating a barrier to the adoption of this advanced mobile technology in the country.
Three major telecom operators (MTN, Airtel, Mafab) have launched 5G services in the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDuring a webinar on driving 5G in Nigeria, Ismail Adesina, Airtel’s Director of Marketing, mentioned the challenges of coverage and affordability, that the Indian company subsidiary is partnering with some companies to make it available at an affordable rate.
Ismail Adesina explained that “There are two constraints on 5G, one is about coverage, and two is about cost. Today, the average cost of a 5G device is still very expensive. And this is why we are partnering with MediaTek and other OEMs. So, when you see devices coming out at very cheap prices, it is because there’s a lot of collaboration between Airtel and MediaTek.”
Despite the launch of 5G services by Airtel, MTN, and Mafab, 5G subscriptions in Nigeria remained at a mere 0.83% as of August this year, as reported by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
READ ALSO: REVEALED: Why More Nigerians Are Still On 2G Networks, Not 5G
Airtel plans to invest further in expanding its 5G infrastructure and collaborate with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to make 5G smartphones more accessible and affordable to Nigerian consumers.
Said Rami Osman, Director for Corporate Sales and Marketing at MediaTek Middle East and Africa, highlighted their partnership with Airtel Nigeria, focusing on enhancing high-speed internet access and offering a wider range of premium devices.
He emphasized that this collaboration aims to drive digital inclusion, revolutionize connectivity in Nigeria, and contribute to sustainable development goals.
