For many Nigerian households and businesses, unreliable internet and poor connectivity remain everyday challenges. Airtel Nigeria is stepping in to close this gap with the launch of its SmartConnect 5G Outdoor Unit (ODU) Router, a broadband solution built to deliver stable, high-speed access at a price point designed for inclusivity.
The device, priced at ₦50,000, comes bundled with free installation, a SIM card, and a 30-day unlimited data package at speeds up to 50 Mbps. After the first month, customers can choose between flexible subscription plans: ₦25,000 monthly for unlimited 50 Mbps or ₦45,000 for unlimited 100 Mbps.
What sets SmartConnect apart is its outdoor-mounted design, which captures stronger signals compared to traditional indoor routers. This ensures users enjoy seamless connectivity even in dense city neighborhoods or semi-urban areas with weaker coverage. Families and businesses can connect up to 64 devices at once, while the built-in backup battery offers five to six hours of power, ensuring continuity during outages. Features such as parental controls and usage monitoring make it as practical as it is powerful.
According to Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, the product reflects the company’s mission to simplify access to technology. “With SmartConnect, we are breaking down barriers of cost and complexity. Our goal is to ensure that every household and every small business can enjoy reliable internet without compromise.”
Ismail Adeshina, Marketing Director, added that the router was created with everyday Nigerian realities in mind: “People want confidence that their internet won’t let them down, whether they’re studying, running a business, or streaming at home. SmartConnect was designed to deliver exactly that, even in the face of network or power challenges.”
Customers can purchase the router at Airtel outlets nationwide, on the official e-shop (eshop.airtel.com.ng), or via Home Broadband and Direct Sales Executives. Subscription management is seamless through the Airtel Africa App, the broadband portal (airtel.com.ng/hbb), USSD, or QR codes.
With broadband penetration still at just 43% (NCC, 2025) and fixed-line access unavailable in many regions, the launch of SmartConnect represents more than a product release, it’s a step toward closing Nigeria’s digital divide and aligning with the Federal Government’s broadband and digital economy goals.
