Susan Abayomi
Airtel Nigeria has launched the Airtel Open Network, a new digital platform designed to improve transparency, strengthen customer confidence and give subscribers better access to information about network coverage and service performance.
The platform, integrated into the My Airtel Africa App, allows customers to view nearby network infrastructure, including operational 4G and 5G sites, locations undergoing upgrades and planned sites within a 500-metre radius of their location.
The launch, held in Lagos on October 30, 2026, attracted key industry stakeholders, including the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, media representatives and corporate executives.
With the introduction of the platform, Nigeria becomes the first of Airtel Africa’s 14 operating markets to adopt this level of consumer-facing network transparency.
Speaking at the event, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said the initiative was designed to give customers clearer information about network operations and provide them with a direct channel to report service challenges.
He explained that the platform converts complex network data into accessible information, enabling subscribers to better understand available connectivity in their areas and make informed decisions.
Balsingh added that building customer trust requires openness and a willingness to listen to subscribers’ concerns.
In his remarks, Maida commended Airtel for the initiative, describing it as a development that could complement the NCC’s efforts to improve service quality and consumer confidence.
He stressed that telecommunications operators must continue to improve their services beyond minimum regulatory requirements while addressing persistent network challenges.
The Open Network platform also provides a structured feedback system through which subscribers can report network-related complaints directly via the mobile application.
Airtel Nigeria said feedback received from customers, alongside its ongoing infrastructure investments, would help guide network improvements in areas requiring better coverage, capacity and reliability.
However, the company clarified that network coverage indicators do not guarantee uninterrupted connectivity, as factors such as building structures, indoor reception, device specifications and network congestion can affect individual experiences.
Balsingh emphasised that while the platform would improve access to network information and customer feedback, actual service improvements would continue to depend on sustained investment and infrastructure upgrades.
Following the launch, Airtel Nigeria announced plans to commence a nationwide awareness campaign, featuring practical demonstrations and user guides across digital, retail and traditional media platforms to familiarise millions of subscribers with the new service.
