NTEL, Nigeria's fifth telecom carrier, has relaunched its operations with the introduction of WakaGo, a pay-as-you-go global eSIM service, and AirFibre, a wireless broadband solution capable of speeds up to 1.2Gbps. The company, operating under NATCOM Development and Investment Limited, is targeting Nigerians abroad seeking to avoid costly roaming charges and local communities struggling with unreliable internet access.
NTEL's Comeback Strategy
NTEL's Chief Technology Officer, Kingsley Uwazie, disclosed the plans in an interview with Vanguard, explaining that the company is leveraging existing telecommunications infrastructure to rebuild its operations. The former competitor to MTN is focusing on affordable international connectivity and addressing Nigeria's broadband challenges.
“Our aim is to keep Nigerians connected, whether you’re abroad or you’re local,” Uwazie said. He stressed that rebuilding customer confidence will remain central to NTEL's comeback.
WakaGo eSIM: An Alternative to Expensive Roaming
Uwazie said WakaGo was developed to help Nigerians travelling abroad avoid expensive international roaming charges without purchasing physical SIM cards at their destinations. The service allows customers with compatible smartphones to access mobile data while retaining their existing SIM cards for regular calls.
Users can also make WhatsApp calls, send messages and access other internet-based services. According to Uwazie, WakaGo operates on a pay-as-you-go model, eliminating the need for customers to commit to fixed country-specific bundles.
“The rates are very fair when you compare WakaGo to our competitors out there,” he said. He added that the service offered a more affordable alternative to conventional roaming charges, citing customer experiences in Japan, China and the United States. However, NTEL did not disclose specific subscription prices or comparative data rates.
AirFibre: Bridging the Broadband Gap
Beyond international connectivity, NTEL is introducing AirFibre to address Nigeria's persistent broadband challenges, particularly the high cost of connecting homes and offices to fibre-optic networks. Uwazie explained that although fibre infrastructure reaches many telecommunications towers, extending connections directly to customers remains expensive.
AirFibre uses wireless technology to bridge this gap, allowing internet service providers to deliver fibre-like speeds without extensive cable installations. According to him, the technology can deliver speeds of up to 1.2 gigabits per second per link. The service is currently undergoing trials in Lagos and Abuja, with expansion planned for Ibadan, Abia State and Benin City.
Nationwide Expansion Plans
Uwazie disclosed that NTEL would combine infrastructure sharing, national roaming and satellite connectivity to extend coverage to underserved communities. The company is also pursuing its BET strategy, focusing on telecommunications infrastructure, real estate and digital services.
In a related development, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that unapproved mobile phones and other non-compliant devices may be blocked from accessing Nigerian mobile networks, including those operated by MTN, Airtel and Glo. The commission urged consumers to verify the approval status of their devices before buying them, particularly second-hand phones and devices imported from abroad.
