Mobile network operator, Airtel Nigeria, on Monday officially launched services in the country powered by the fifth generation (5G) technology.
The launch in Lagos brings to three the total number of operators offering services on the technology; others being MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications.
It is projected that the 5G service would deliver super-fast data services and redefine services in other sectors of the economy, including medicine, agric, and others.
According to the managing director and chief executive officer of Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz, 5G is a significant leap from 4G.
He said, “I am pleased to welcome all of you to the launch of Airtel’s 5G network. The 5G revolution is a quantum leap from the previous generation of networks, 4G. One may think that 4G was an improvement in our Internet experience, 5G completely opens a new possibility where anything and everything is possible.
“For instance, today as we know it, video playback and video calls are quite slow. But with 5G end-to-end video creation with the support of AI is now possible even if one is using their own browser. 5G is a completely new experience, it supercharges everything we can do.
“Whether it be cloud computing, telemedicine, self-driving cars, cloud gaming, AI and virtual reality, Internet of Things, smart homes, and indeed so much more.”
Airtel Nigeria Chief Commercial Officer, Femi Oshinlaja, said 5G services would be available in four major cities of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States.
However, he assured the public that the service would gradually expand to cover other regions of the country.
He said, “5G is not meant to be out of reach for them. Like Carl said, making 5G accessible. Airtel has come in to democratise 5G, not make it complex.”
He added, “We also have a partnership with Samsung to launch an affordable 5G-enabled phone at N122k. Because we are thinking about our customers and keep them at the heart of what we do, we worked with our ecosystem partners to provide technology and affordable phones.”
