Airtel Nigeria partners MediaTek to improve 5G services
Airtel Nigeria has partnered with MediaTek, a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company that manufactures chips for wireless communications, to provide clients with 5G routers.
According to the terms of the deal, MediaTek will introduce T750-powered Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), which would boost internet connectivity.
This the two parties says allow customers to connect to high-speed 5G networks, enabling remote work, gaming, online education, and entertainment streaming.
In June 2023, Airtel debuted its 5G network in four cities: Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, and Rivers.
The telco's 5G routers were allegedly reasonable on the market at the time of launch. However, the withdrawal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the local currency increased the pricing of all Nigerian products, including 5G routers.
As a result, Airtel claims it is investing in modern technology to keep consumers connected.
"We're investing proactively in this technology (CPE) to improve connectivity, address coverage and cost issues, and make devices more accessible across Nigeria," said Airtel Nigeria's director of marketing, Ismail Olusegun Adeshina.
Rami Osman, director for corporate sales and marketing at MediaTek Middle East Africa, says the collaboration with Airtel focuses on three critical areas, including router affordability.
"We are improving high-speed internet access with our chipsets," he stated. “We are devoted to providing a greater range of premium and flagship smartphone devices, as well as supporting in the transition from feature phones to smartphones. In the realm of AI-IoT, we are studying new ideas and technologies. As a result, this would increase digital inclusion, alter Nigerian connectivity, and contribute to long-term development goals."