By 
By Oluwatobi Opusunju
Nigeria’s third largest telecoms firm, Airtel Nigeria has deployed its first 4G long term evolution (LTE) mobile network service in Ibadan, Oyo State capital to enhance broadband uptake in the state. This is coming almost a year after Glo, MTN and 9Mobile had launched theirs across the country. But while GLO and MTN rolled out the service nationwide, 9Mobile has only launched in Lagos.
The CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya while speaking at the launch said the service will help drive growth, spread prosperity and empower the highly enterprising people of Ibadan to fulfill their potentials and realize their dreams.
“Our commitment is to deliver 4G Service that works to Nigerians as we will dramatically improve mobile Internet experience for telecoms consumers across the country.
“Indeed, Airtel is committed to strengthening its position as a true pioneer of innovation in the Nigerian telecommunications domain, as this is in line with our overall corporate vision of becoming the mobile Internet service provider of first choice for every Nigerian,” he said.
To access the service, consumers are expected to swap their existing Airtel SIM to an Airtel 4G enabled SIM, or purchase an Airtel 4G SIM in any of the telco’soutlet in Ibadan. Upon swap or purchase, Airtel promised to gift consumers 4gig of data plus an additional 25% data bonus for next three months for plans above N500.
Additionally, the Chief Commercial Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Ahmad Mokhles while also speaking at the event said Airtel is in talks with our various partners to roll-out affordable devices (MIFI and Smartphones – 4G enabled) to consumers as it plans to deliver 4G experience to every door step in Ibadan
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, hailed Airtel for deploying 4G in Ibadan, saying that he is glad that Airtel Nigeria has chosen Ibadan to pioneer the launch of its revolutionary 4G service.
