Bharti Airtel has reached a major global milestone. The telecom giant now boasts 650 million mobile subscribers worldwide.
This new figure places Airtel as the second largest telecom operator by customer base. The company confirmed the update in a statement released on Friday.
Its reach now spans several regions. In total, its network covers more than two billion people globally. In Africa alone, it serves over 179 million users across 14 countries.
The company highlighted the significance of this growth. “Crossing 650 million mobile subscribers worldwide, now positions the company as the second-largest telecommunications operator on the planet by customer base.”
It added that this milestone reflects both scale and consistency. “Crossing this threshold reflects a network of immense scale… and the ability to deliver experiences shaped by sustained innovation.”
Airtel Nigeria expansion drives growth
The Airtel subscribers milestone is closely tied to its aggressive expansion in Nigeria. Airtel Nigeria has grown its infrastructure at a steady pace.
Over the past three years, the company increased its network sites from 13,000 to nearly 17,200. This expansion has strengthened coverage and improved service quality.
In the last year alone, more than 1,500 new sites were added. These were targeted at busy urban areas and regions with limited connectivity.
According to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigeria had 145,141 base stations as of December 2025. Airtel accounts for 46,918 of these, showing its strong footprint in the market.
The company is also investing in infrastructure beyond land networks. Plans are underway for a second submarine cable connection at Kwa Ibo, Akwa Ibom State. This move forms part of the 2Africa cable system rollout and should improve internet speed and stability.
A tight race in Nigeria’s telecom space
Despite this global achievement, competition at home remains fierce. MTN Nigeria still leads the Nigerian market.
Reports show MTN holds about 52.31% market share. Meanwhile, Airtel Nigeria follows with 33.89%.
Both companies dominate revenue as well. MTN recorded N2.8 trillion in data revenue in 2025. Airtel posted N838.6 billion within the same period.
Other players lag behind. Globacom controls 12.21% of the market, while T2 remains at 1.59%.
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