Last checked at 9 Jan 2023 07:00
Airtel Africa plc
('Airtel Africa', or the 'Group')
Nigeria 4G and 5G Spectrum Acquisition
London and Lagos, 9 January 2023: Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries across Africa, announces that its Nigerian subsidiary, Airtel Networks Limited ('Airtel Nigeria'), has purchased 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band and 2x5MHz of 2600MHz from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a gross consideration of $316.7m, payable in local currency. This additional spectrum will support our investments in network expansion for both mobile data and fixed wireless home broadband capability, including 5G rollout, providing significant capacity to accommodate our continued strong data growth in the country and exceptional customer experience.
Airtel Nigeria is Airtel Africa's largest market, with significant growth potential. The company led the industry in providing affordable 4G services across the country following the deployment of a fully modernised network which facilitated a 4-fold increase in data traffic over the last three years. The penetration of data customers in Nigeria remains low, providing significant opportunity for future growth.
The acquisition of 5G spectrum will underpin our growth strategy by enabling the launch of higher speed connectivity to enhance customer service and accelerate digitalisation for consumers, enterprises and the public sector. The key benefits of 5G will include higher speeds, lower latency, significant network capacity as well as an improved user experience. Furthermore, the deployment of 5G will accelerate the availability and efficiency of fixed wireless access products across the country, contributing towards Airtel Nigeria's progress in meeting the National Broadband Plan targets. The acquisition of 2600MHz spectrum will complement our already strong spectrum position in the market to enhance network capacity and future-proof our growth opportunity.
Segun Ogunsanya, CEO of Airtel Africa commented:
"Nigeria is a market with enormous potential for future growth in mobile services. Investment in new technologies and local infrastructure to enable this growth is a strategic priority for the Group and will ensure we are able to provide reliable and affordable services to local communities across the country. 5G is critical to these ambitions, and we look forward to launching new services to drive further digitalisation across the country, facilitate economic progress and transform lives across Nigeria."
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Enquiries
Airtel Africa - Investor Relations Pier Falcione Alastair Jones Investor.relations@africa.airtel.com |
+44 7446 858 280 +44 7464 830 011 +44 207 493 9315 |
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Hudson Sandler Nick Lyon Emily Dillon airtelafrica@hudsonsandler.com | +44 207 796 4133 |
About Airtel Africa
Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.
Airtel Africa offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.
The Group aims to continue providing a simple and intuitive customer experience through streamlined customer journeys.
www.airtel.africa