Airtel Nigeria has added greater than 1,000 fifth-generation (5G) network websites in 2026, taking its whole network infrastructure to greater than 17,000 websites nationwide, because the telecommunications operator steps up funding in connectivity and introduces a digital platform to enhance transparency and buyer expertise.
The enlargement, disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, on the launch of Airtel Open Network in Lagos, comes amid rising demand for quicker web providers, elevated knowledge consumption and rising expectations for improved telecommunications service high quality.
The new Open Network characteristic, launched on the My Airtel Africa software, permits subscribers to view network infrastructure round their areas and report connectivity challenges on to the corporate.
Balsingh mentioned the most recent infrastructure deployment shaped a part of Airtel’s broader funding programme to increase protection and enhance network capability throughout Nigeria.
“During the last financial year, Airtel Nigeria added more than 1,050 new sites and has surpassed 17,000 sites nationwide. This year, 2026 alone, Airtel has added more than 1,000 5G sites to date, expanding access to high-speed connectivity across the country,” he mentioned.
The launch was attended by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, alongside business stakeholders, media representatives and company executives.
Airtel mentioned Nigeria had grow to be the primary of its 14 working markets in Africa to introduce the extent of consumer-facing network transparency supplied by the Open Network initiative.
The characteristic gives subscribers with visible info exhibiting 4G and 5G websites, areas the place infrastructure is being upgraded and deliberate websites inside a 500-metre radius of their location.
Customers also can use the appliance to submit suggestions on network efficiency, offering Airtel’s technical groups with info to analyze connectivity issues and determine areas requiring enhancements.
Balsingh mentioned the initiative was designed to strengthen buyer confidence by making network info extra accessible and giving subscribers a direct channel to speak their experiences.
“Trust grows when customers can see what is happening and know that their concerns are being heard. With Open Network, we are giving customers greater visibility into our network and a more direct way to tell us where their experience falls short,” he mentioned.
He defined that standard grievance channels, together with name centres and bodily customer support retailers, typically failed to supply sufficiently exact details about the placement and nature of network challenges.
The digital platform, he mentioned, would complement present customer support channels by serving to engineers acquire extra particular suggestions and direct consideration to downside areas.
However, Balsingh cautioned that the platform wouldn’t mechanically restore network faults or remove service disruptions, stressing that sustained infrastructure funding remained crucial to enhance service high quality.
He additionally famous that network efficiency might range relying on indoor protection, constructing constructions, handset specs and localised congestion.
In his remarks, Maida counseled the initiative, describing it as a improvement that might complement the NCC’s efforts to enhance transparency and shopper confidence within the telecommunications business.
He mentioned the fee’s evaluation of service high quality would proceed to be based mostly on proof and relevant business requirements, including that operators should try to enhance past minimal regulatory necessities.
Beyond network infrastructure, Airtel is increasing its customer support channels to enhance accessibility. The firm operates greater than 225 premium expertise shops and plans to extend the quantity to 500. It additionally has over 9,000 unique outlets and greater than 73,000 retail brokers nationwide.
The newest initiative builds on Airtel’s introduction of a synthetic intelligence-powered spam alert service in March 2025. According to Balsingh, the service flagged greater than 9.6 million suspected spam messages inside its first two months.
Airtel mentioned it will start a nationwide consciousness marketing campaign to coach subscribers on utilizing the Open Network characteristic by way of digital platforms, shops and conventional media.
UPDATE NEWS:
Nigerians can now make investments ₦2.5 million on premium domains and revenue about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than surprise,
click here to find out how it works.
