Airtel becomes world’s second-largest telecom
By Damilare Adeleye
Telecommunications giant Bharti Airtel has announced that its global subscriber base has surpassed 650 million, positioning it as the second-largest telecom operator in the world by customer count.
The company disclosed this in a statement released in Lagos, noting that the milestone reflects its expanding global footprint and capacity to deliver services across diverse markets.
According to the Director of Corporate Communications at Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran, the growth highlights the company’s ability to maintain service quality while driving innovation across its operations.
Airtel Nigeria stated that it has significantly scaled its infrastructure over the past three years, increasing its national site count from just over 13,000 to nearly 17,200, including more than 1,560 sites added within the last year.
“This expansion deepens capacity in high-demand corridors and extends high-speed coverage to previously underserved regions,” the statement noted.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that as of December 2025, Nigeria had 145,141 base stations across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.
“Of this national infrastructure, Airtel accounts for 46,918 base-station layers, reflecting its substantial contribution to the country’s radio access network and its effort to meet rising data demand,” the statement added.
The company also revealed that nearly 99 per cent of its sites in Nigeria are now 4G-enabled, boosting broadband penetration and improving service delivery, particularly in high-demand and previously underserved areas.
It added that thousands of sites have been upgraded in the past year alone to enhance capacity, enabling faster speeds and more stable performance during peak usage.
The expansion aligns with growing internet adoption in Nigeria, where penetration has surpassed 50 per cent, with Airtel recording significant growth in new internet subscribers driven by network upgrades across states.
As part of efforts to strengthen connectivity, the firm said it is developing a second international internet gateway through a submarine cable landing at Kwa Ibo in Akwa Ibom State under the 2Africa cable system. The project is expected to improve network redundancy and internet resilience nationwide.
In the digital financial services segment, Airtel’s mobile money platform, SmartCash, has grown to over three million active users, supported by a wide agent network aimed at deepening financial inclusion.
The telecom company also said its retail footprint has expanded to about 4,000 exclusive outlets nationwide, improving access to its services in both urban and rural communities.
Speaking on the milestone, the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the achievement reflects customer trust and the company’s continued investment in digital infrastructure.
“Reaching 650 million customers globally reflects the trust people place in Airtel’s networks and services. Here in Nigeria, we are building infrastructure that not only keeps pace with rising demand but anticipates it,” he said.
Balsingh added that ongoing investments in network expansion, redundancy, and digital services will support Nigeria’s growing digital economy, ensuring improved connectivity and seamless digital experiences for both consumers and businesses.