Airtel Nigeria has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Google to enhance its Airtel Smart Router offering, a move set to redefine digital entertainment and connectivity for Nigerian households. The collaboration was unveiled during a signing ceremony at Airtel’s Lagos headquarters, attended by representatives from BrandSpur and IAT News.
The partnership seeks to provide seamless internet access and premium entertainment experiences to subscribers across Nigeria. Central to this initiative is the Airtel Smart Router, a cutting-edge device that doubles as an internet router and a smart TV converter.
By transforming analog televisions into smart TVs, the router allows users to access YouTube and other digital content effortlessly. Equipped with an optimized operating system, a dedicated YouTube app, and a specialized remote control with a YouTube button, the device aims to deliver a flawless viewing experience.
Speaking on the partnership, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Commercial Officer, Femi Oshinlaja, emphasized its significance in bridging the digital divide. “At Airtel, our goal to bridge the digital gap includes the provision of affordable entertainment content.
Through this partnership with Google, we continue to revolutionize the entertainment space as the Airtel Smart Router offers a complete experience, delivering internet services and easy access to world-class entertainment through YouTube,” he stated.
Femi Adeniran, Director of Corporate Communications & CSR at Airtel, elaborated on the initiative’s customer-centric approach. “The integration of YouTube on the Airtel Smart Router offers an unmatched simplification of the customer experience, transforming how our customers consume digital content at home. This partnership reflects our commitment to creating affordable and innovative solutions that enhance the digital lifestyle of our customers,” he said.
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The Airtel Smart Router is priced at N25,000 and includes 30 days of unlimited bandwidth, enabling families to stream movies, sports, music, and other audiovisual content seamlessly.
Google’s Director for West Africa, Olumide Balogun, expressed excitement about the collaboration. “YouTube has always been about connecting people with the content they love. With this partnership, we’re making it easier for more Nigerians to access their favorite videos right from their TVs, enabling even more homes to benefit from the wealth of knowledge and entertainment that YouTube offers,” he remarked.
Echoing this sentiment, Mahesh Bhalerao, YouTube’s Director of EMEA Product Partnerships, highlighted the cultural impact of the platform. “YouTube is the stage where culture comes to life. This collaboration with Airtel underscores our commitment to bringing high-quality, on-demand content to more homes while empowering Nigerian audiences to explore, learn, and enjoy the diversity of experiences YouTube offers,” he said.
