Airtel commits to 350 additional towers amid rising customer complaints

Following widespread public complaints over poor service, Airtel Limited Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, has pledged to improve Zambia’s network coverage by installing 350 additional towers within the next 12 months.

Mittal, speaking in Lusaka on Friday alongside officials from the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the initiative was part of Airtel’s long-term commitment to the country.

“We currently have about 1,700 towers across Zambia, covering nearly 92 percent of the population. We intend to deepen that coverage by adding 350 more towers in just one year,” he said, noting that Zambia remains a cornerstone of Airtel’s Africa strategy.

Airtel, one of the world’s largest telecom companies with operations in 17 countries and nearly 600 million customers, now offers services up to 5G level, alongside mobile money platforms to drive digital and financial inclusion.

However, journalists were left frustrated after being barred from asking questions during the briefing, despite ongoing public concern over recent technical faults — including an Airtel Money outage on Thursday evening that disrupted transactions.

Science and Technology Minister,
Felix Mutati, welcomed the investment, saying it would create jobs, boost e-commerce and support innovation.

“The new towers mean more opportunities for young innovators and improved connectivity for industries like mining. We also appreciate your efforts in connecting schools, especially in rural areas, and urge you to continue,” Mutati said.

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