Mr. Carl Cruz, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, has spoken about the company’s 5G service and how it will enhance the socio-economic development of Nigeria. Mr. Cruz delivered his speech at a virtual interactive session on Technology Times Live, an online platform that showcases the latest innovations and trends in the telecom industry .
Mr. Cruz said that Airtel Nigeria, which launched its commercial 5G service in July 2023, is committed to providing high-speed mobile and complementary services to its customers across the country. He said that 5G will enable faster data transmission, lower latency, higher reliability, and more connectivity for various applications and devices, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet of things, smart cities, e-health, e-education, e-agriculture, and e-commerce .
He also said that 5G will support the innovation and transformation of various sectors of the Nigerian economy, beyond communication. He cited examples of how 5G can improve the efficiency and productivity of agriculture, manufacturing, health care, education, and entertainment. He also mentioned some of the social benefits of 5G, such as creating more jobs, enhancing digital inclusion, reducing poverty, and improving quality of life.
Mr. Cruz also addressed some of the challenges and opportunities of deploying 5G in Nigeria. He said that Airtel Nigeria is working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the regulatory framework, spectrum allocation, infrastructure development, and public awareness are conducive for the adoption and growth of 5G in the country. He also said that Airtel Nigeria is investing heavily in upgrading its network and expanding its coverage to reach more customers with 5G services.
Mr. Cruz concluded his speech by expressing his optimism and confidence in the future of 5G in Nigeria. He said that Airtel Nigeria is proud to be a pioneer and leader in the mobile revolution in the country, which started 22 years ago with the launch of digital mobile telephony service by Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Airtel Nigeria). He said that Airtel Nigeria will continue to innovate and deliver value to its customers and stakeholders with its 5G service and other offerings.