Airtel Nigeria has launched its Open Network initiative, a digital platform designed to give subscribers greater visibility into network infrastructure and enable them to report service challenges directly to the telecommunications company.

The initiative was unveiled in Lagos on Friday, October 30, 2026, during an event attended by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida.

Through the MyAirtel app, customers can access information about network sites in their locations, monitor the status of network infrastructure and provide feedback about connectivity problems.

Subscribers can report issues including poor voice-call quality, slow internet speeds, lack of internet access and video buffering. The information provided is expected to help Airtel’s technical teams identify problem areas and determine where network improvements are most needed.

The platform also provides details about individual network sites, including the technology being used, such as 4G or 5G, as well as information about ongoing upgrades. Customers can view network infrastructure through map and satellite views.

Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said the initiative was developed to give customers a stronger voice in shaping network development.

He explained that location-specific feedback would help the company understand service challenges more precisely and direct investments towards areas experiencing the greatest difficulties.

The NCC welcomed the initiative, saying greater transparency could help bridge the gap between telecommunications companies’ infrastructure investments and the actual experience of subscribers.

Dr Maida noted that while operators regularly announce investments in network expansion and capacity upgrades, customers want to know when those investments will translate into better services in their communities. He urged other telecommunications operators to adopt similar approaches to transparency and customer engagement.

President Bola Tinubu also welcomed Airtel’s Open Network initiative, describing it as a positive step towards greater transparency, consumer protection and improved telecommunications services in Nigeria.

The President urged telecommunications operators to continue investing in network expansion, particularly in underserved communities, while ensuring that customer complaints receive prompt attention. He said the success of investments in the sector should ultimately be measured by the quality of service experienced by Nigerians.

Airtel has continued to expand its network infrastructure, with the Federal Government stating that the company’s network sites have grown from about 15,000 two years ago to more than 17,000 nationwide. More than 1,050 sites were added during the company’s 2025/26 financial year, including 657 5G sites.

The launch comes amid ongoing concerns about telecommunications service quality in Nigeria. Airtel said the Open Network initiative is intended to improve communication between the company and its customers while using real-time, location-specific feedback to guide future network improvements.

The initiative is therefore expected to give subscribers a clearer understanding of network developments in their areas while providing Airtel with more precise information to address connectivity challenges and improve customer experience.