Airtel Hits 650m Subscribers, Claims World’s 2nd Telco Spot

Bharti Airtel has emerged as the world’s second-largest telecommunications operator by customer base after surpassing 650 million mobile subscribers globally.

The company said the milestone reflects the scale of its network, its reach across multiple markets, and continued investment in innovation-driven services.

In Nigeria, Airtel has significantly expanded its infrastructure, increasing its national site count from just over 13,000 to nearly 17,200 within three years, including more than 1,560 sites added in the past year. The expansion is aimed at boosting capacity in high-demand areas and extending coverage to underserved communities.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that as of December 2025, Nigeria had 145,141 base stations across 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks. Airtel accounts for 46,918 of these base-station layers, underscoring its contribution to the country’s telecoms infrastructure.

The operator also disclosed that nearly 99 per cent of its sites in Nigeria are now 4G-enabled, with thousands upgraded in the past year to improve speed and network stability, particularly during peak usage periods.

The expansion has supported rising internet adoption in the country, with penetration exceeding 50 per cent, according to NCC figures. Airtel recorded one of the highest monthly increases in new internet subscribers, driven by network upgrades across states and rural areas.

To strengthen connectivity, Airtel is advancing plans for a second submarine cable internet breakout point at Kwa Ibo, Akwa Ibom State, as part of the 2Africa cable system. The project is expected to enhance network redundancy and improve the resilience of Nigeria’s internet infrastructure.

The company’s digital finance arm, SmartCash, has also gained traction, with over three million active users supported by a growing agent network and digital financial services.

Airtel said its retail footprint in Nigeria has expanded to about 4,000 exclusive outlets, improving access to services and customer support across urban and rural locations.

Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the milestone reflects customer trust and the company’s commitment to expanding infrastructure and digital services.

He said Airtel would continue to invest in network expansion, redundancy and digital platforms to support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.