Airtel's altitude towards 4G LTE services in Nigeria is a real description of the popular saying "the first shall be the last. This is because, Airtel was the first network provider in Nigeria to test-run 4G network in the country way back in 2012 but so far, they have been sleeping and allowed their rivals MTN, Etisalat and even Glo to launch 4G.
Well, latest information have it that Airtel 4G LTE Network is now been rolled out in Nigeria and this will be in partnership with ZTE, a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment/systems company. In other words, ZTE will build their 4G LTE network in Nigeria. But no date for official launch has been fixed as at the time of this publication.
The Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, said on Saturday that the telecommunications company has rolled out Fourth Generation (4G) wireless mobile telecommunications technology in Nigeria.
Ogunsanya said in a statement in Lagos that the roll out of the technology was in partnership with ZTE, a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment/systems company.
He said that in December, 2012, Airtel was the first telecommunications operator in the country to complete a successful 4G trial in Lagos.
According to him, this is in line with the company’s commitment to pioneer innovation and lead a mobile internet revolution in Nigeria.
“This is a new dawn for mobile internet in Nigeria.
“Airtel and ZTE’s collaboration to roll out 4G service plan in Nigeria will dramatically improve mobile internet experience for telecommunications consumers across the country.
“Indeed, Airtel is committed to strengthening its position as a true pioneer of innovation in the Nigerian telecommunications domain.
“This is in line with our overall corporate vision of becoming the mobile Internet service provider of first choice for every Nigerian,” he said.
Regional Vice President of ZTE Corporation, Mr Zhang Ruigang, said that ZTE would cooperate with Airtel Nigeria to build the first-class 4G LTE network and provide the best long term service to Airtel Nigeria.
“4G LTE is a truly global mobile phone standard for advanced mobile broadband.
“Airtel’s 4G LTE aims to offer users faster, more reliable mobile broadband internet for devices like smart phones, tablets and laptops,” Ruigang said