Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has charged telecommunications operators in the country to ensure an inclusive and robust network coverage nationwide. He gave this directive on Friday, at the launch of Airtel 4G LTE network in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He described the launch as ‘a major milestone for Airtel to provide leadership in setting the technology standard for 4G services by rolling out its cutting-edge network in line with its corporate vision of becoming a first-class mobile Internet service provider in Nigeria.’
The Minister further praised Airtel Nigeria for deploying 4G in Ibadan and the Federal Capital City, Abuja and charged the network operator to ensure that no part of the country is left out in having the high-speed Internet experience at available and affordable cost.
He added that since the launch of Airtel 4G network in Ibadan, it has been driving growth, prosperity, empowering highly enterprising people in the state and that he believes the same scenario will be replicated in Abuja and other states so that people can fulfil their potentials and realize their dreams.
‘‘I am excited that Airtel is setting the pace on providing leadership by rolling out a 4G network in line with the vision of becoming the first mobile network service provider in Nigeria'”, Barrister Shittu said.
Airtel’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Segun Ogunsanya, during his address, said the 4G LTE is a technology that puts power in the hands of its users because it provides a superfast mobile broadband to Nigerians. He also revealed that the company plans to extend the technology all over the country before the end of the year, making it the widest 4G network in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel, Ahmad Mohkles said Nigeria has a huge potential for 4G network as only about 100 million of the 139 million mobile phone users have access to the internet. He added that the 4G technology would be around for a long time, and urged Nigerians to swap their old Airtel SIM cards to the latest technology to enjoy the superfast mobile Internet.
