Grace Ashiru
Airtel, a major telecom provider in Nigeria, has officially launched its 5G network in the populous African nation. The move positions Airtel as the third-largest mobile network operator in the country, with a subscriber base surpassing 60.3 million, trailing only MTN and Glo.
MTN has already rolled out its 5G service in seven Nigerian states as of last August, setting the stage for a new era of connectivity in the region. On the other hand, Airtel has initially rolled out its 5G service in three states – Lagos, Rivers, Ogun – and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Airtel’s financial performance in 2022 showed recorded revenues of $1.06 billion and $847 million from voice and data services, respectively, reflecting a substantial growth from the $957 million and $691 million earned in 2021. Analysts expect the company’s service revenue to increase further, owing to the inherent capabilities and potentials of the newly unveiled 5G network.
A report by Juniper Research projected that global 5G service revenue will escalate to $315 billion in 2023, marking a significant increase from $195 billion recorded in 2022.
Qualcomm outlines that the 5G network promises peak data speeds in the multi-Gbps range, enhanced reliability, extensive network capacity, increased availability, and improved efficiency. These improvements will catalyze new user experiences and foster connections across various industries.
Unlike its predecessors, the 5G network provides a more unified and capable air interface, built with the potential to propel next-generation user experiences, support innovative deployment models, and facilitate the delivery of new services.
