Airtel - Nigeria

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Carrier
Airtel
Country
Nigeria Flag of Nigeria View country details


Airtel (Nigeria) uses 2 GSM bands, 1 UMTS band, 1 LTE band, and 2 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with Airtel (Nigeria). See the tables below for details.

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Carrier website: http://www.africa.airtel.com

Last updated: 2024/08/05 - See latest updates

Airtel Nigeria is a leading mobile network operator in Nigeria, known for its extensive coverage and innovative services. Here are some key points about the company:

Overview

  • Market Share: Airtel Nigeria holds a significant market share of 29% as of March 2024, making it the second-largest telecommunications company in Nigeria after MTN Nigeria.
  • Subscribers: The company has approximately 64.4 million active connected lines as of March 2024, with 46.8 million active internet subscriptions.
  • Headquarters: Located at Plot L2, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, which is a major economic hub in Nigeria.

History

  • Founding: Initially founded as Econet Nigeria in 2001, it became the first telecommunications service provider to launch commercial GSM services in Nigeria on August 5, 2001.
  • Acquisitions: The company has undergone several acquisitions, including being acquired by Vodacom in 2004, Vee Networks in 2004, Celtel in 2006, and finally by Bharti Airtel in 2010.

Governance

  • Leadership: The current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria is C. Surendran, who took over from Segun Ogunsanya in August 2021.

Services

  • 5G Network: Airtel Nigeria launched its 5G network in June 2023, which has contributed to the company's growth in internet subscriptions.
  • Mobile Money Services: Airtel Africa, the parent company, offers mobile money services both nationally and internationally, with Airtel Nigeria being one of the most profitable units.

Challenges

  • Service Quality: Despite growth, Airtel and other network operators face challenges such as rising operation costs and forex scarcity, which impact service delivery.

Market Position

  • Competitors: Airtel Nigeria competes with other major telecommunications companies in Nigeria, including MTN Nigeria and Globacom.

Airtel Nigeria continues to invest in its network and services, aiming to maintain its position as a leading telecommunications provider in the country.

Frequency Bands

GSM

Name Interface Description
900 MHz (E-GSM) GSM

Airtel Nigeria uses the GSM 900 MHz (E-GSM) frequency band for its mobile communications. This frequency band is widely used in many countries around the world, including Nigeria, for GSM services. The deployment of GSM 900 MHz (E-GSM) in Nigeria is part of the broader adoption of GSM technology globally, which began in the early 1990s.
1800 MHz (DCS) GSM

Airtel Nigeria uses the GSM 1800 MHz (DCS) frequency band. This band is used for GSM services. The deployment of this frequency band is not specified in the provided information.

UMTS

Name Interface Description
B1 (2100 MHz) UMTS

Airtel Nigeria uses the UMTS frequency band B1 (2100 MHz). This band is deployed for UMTS services.

LTE

Name Interface Description
B3 (1800 MHz +) LTE

Airtel Nigeria uses LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz +) for its LTE network. This frequency band is widely used globally and supports both FDD and TDD configurations, offering a balance between network coverage and data capacity. It is particularly popular in Europe, APAC, MEA, and selected countries in South America, facilitating international roaming for mobile broadband services. Airtel Nigeria has approximately 64.4 million active connected lines and 46.8 million active internet subscriptions as of March 2024.

5G NR

Name Interface Description
N38 (2600 MHz) 5G NR

Airtel Nigeria uses the 5G NR frequency band N38 (2600 MHz) for its 5G services. This band operates from 2570 to 2620 MHz and supports channel bandwidths of 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz. The n38 band is known for its excellent range and building penetration, making it suitable for dense urban networks. Airtel Nigeria deployed this frequency band as part of its 5G rollout in June 2023.
N78 (3500 MHz) 5G NR

Airtel Nigeria uses the 5G NR band N78, which operates at a frequency of 3500 MHz. The deployment of this band is not specified.

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