Airtel Nigeria is set to revolutionize the nation's digital landscape with a monumental investment of $700 million over the next three to four years.
This strategic move aims to accelerate the deployment of 5G technology, particularly focusing on enhancing connectivity in rural areas and fostering economic development.
The investment, announced by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Airtel, underscores the company's commitment to expanding its 5G network infrastructure, including the installation of fiber optic cables and the construction of data centers.
This initiative is poised to position Airtel as a formidable competitor in Nigeria's telecom sector, currently dominated by MTN, Globacom, and 9mobile.
Airtel's CEO, Carl Cruz, emphasized the transformative potential of 5G technology, stating, "5G ushers in a new era of innovation that breaks boundaries and presents a new wave of economic benefits for this generation and the next." He highlighted the technology's capacity to enhance various sectors, including telemedicine, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) projects that the 5G network could contribute an additional $140 billion to Nigeria's economy within the next decade. Airtel's substantial investment aligns with this vision, aiming to bridge the digital divide and stimulate economic growth, particularly in underserved regions.
Currently, Airtel has established over 200 5G sites across major cities like Lagos, Ogun, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, with plans to expand services to more cities soon. The company's Director of Marketing, Ismail Adeshina, assured that the 5G deployment would not affect existing 2G, 3G, and 4G services, as each Airtel site supports all generations of network technology.
This ambitious expansion is expected to not only enhance connectivity but also unlock new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic development across Nigeria.
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