Joy Agwunobi
Airtel Nigeria has launched the SmartConnect 5G Outdoor Unit (ODU) Router, a broadband solution designed to deliver affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet access to households and businesses nationwide.
The SmartConnect device, introduced at an entry price of N25,000, comes bundled with a SIM card, free installation, and a complimentary 30-day unlimited data plan offering speeds of up to 50 Mbps. After the trial period, customers can subscribe to flexible packages, including N25,000 monthly for unlimited 50 Mbps or N45,000 monthly for unlimited 100 Mbps.
According to Airtel, the ODU design allows the router to be mounted outdoors, enabling it to capture stronger and more stable signals, ensuring consistent connectivity even in congested urban areas and expanding peri-urban communities.
The device also supports multiple users, accommodating up to 64 devices simultaneously, and comes with a built-in power backup that lasts between five and six hours during electricity outages. It is equipped with parental and usage controls, giving households and small businesses greater control over browsing access. Airtel added that the router is usable nationwide, with access to its 5G network where available and seamless fallback to 4G LTE in other locations.
Speaking at the unveiling, Dinesh Balsingh, chief executive officer of Airtel Nigeria, said the product reinforces the company’s mission to expand digital access. “Our mission has always been to democratise access to technology. With SmartConnect, we are removing the barriers of cost and complexity. Every household, and every small business deserves to be connected without compromise,” he said.
Ismail Adeshina, marketing director of Airtel Nigeria, noted that the router was developed with the Nigerian market in mind. According to him, families, entrepreneurs, and students need the confidence of staying connected despite power interruptions or network fluctuations, and the SmartConnect device delivers that assurance.
The company explained that the device can be purchased at Airtel showrooms nationwide, through its official e-shop, or via Home Broadband Sales Executives and Direct Sales Executives. Subscription and bundle renewals can be managed through the Airtel Africa App, the broadband portal, USSD codes, or QR codes.
The launch comes as Nigeria continues to push for deeper broadband penetration. Figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) show that broadband penetration stood at 48.01 percent in mid-2025, still below the government’s 2020–2025 National Broadband Plan, which targets 70 percent penetration by the end of this year. The plan also sets a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural communities.
By introducing the SmartConnect 5G ODU router, Airtel said it is providing a scalable and affordable solution that not only addresses the country’s connectivity gap but also aligns with the federal government’s broadband and digital economy objectives.
