Lagos, Nigeria – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted Airtel Nigeria Telesonic Limited, a subsidiary of Airtel Africa, three key telecom licences, positioning the company to expand its fibre network and strengthen its infrastructure to meet the rising demand for data services across the country.
The licences, which include National Long Distance, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and Sales & Installation Major licences, were confirmed on the NCC’s website on Tuesday. This development marks a significant step for Airtel Nigeria Telesonic as it seeks to enhance its service offerings and extend its reach within the Nigerian telecommunications market.
The NCC explained that the National Long Distance licence, effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2044, authorizes Airtel Nigeria Telesonic to establish and maintain long-distance communication networks within Nigeria. This 20-year licence will enable the operator to provide voice, data, and video services, thereby supporting the country’s communication infrastructure.
Additionally, the ISP and Sales & Installation Major licences have a five-year validity period, starting from July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2029. These licences will allow Airtel Nigeria Telesonic to further develop its internet service capabilities and expand its installation services across the nation.
Adeolu Ogungbanjo, President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, lauded the NCC’s decision, describing it as a positive development for the industry. “The more licences granted, the more competition we will see in the market. This will ultimately improve service quality, and subscribers will benefit from better service delivery and coverage,” Ogungbanjo told The PUNCH.
This announcement follows Airtel Africa’s recent strategic moves to bolster its presence in the data services market. In February, the company launched Airtel Nigeria Telesonic Limited as its wholesale fibre arm, aimed at revolutionizing the continent’s data market. This move builds on the success of Nxtra, Airtel’s new data centre business launched in December 2023, which leverages the Tier 3 data centre in Lagos that opened in 2022.
Segun Ogunsanya, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating that Africa is undergoing a digital revolution with a growing demand for data centres, particularly among the youth. “Our goal is to bridge the digital divide and foster innovation and economic growth through robust and scalable infrastructure,” Ogunsanya said.
Nigeria currently has about 35,000 kilometers of fibre optic cables, with plans to extend this by an additional 90,000 kilometers to enhance connectivity and promote digital inclusion. This initiative aligns with the country’s broader strategy to connect all 774 local government areas and significantly increase broadband penetration, targeting 70 percent by 2025, according to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The new licences granted to Airtel Nigeria Telesonic Limited are expected to play a crucial role in achieving these ambitious goals, contributing to the overall growth and development of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.