MTN Nigeria has launched FlyX, a 5G fixed-broadband service designed to bring high-speed internet to homes and small businesses in areas where fibre connectivity is not yet available.
The new service uses a two-part setup. An outdoor unit captures the operator’s 5G signal, while an indoor unit distributes the connection through Wi-Fi. The arrangement is intended for locations where indoor 5G reception is weak or where MTN’s FibreX service has yet to reach.
Egerton Idehen, MTN Nigeria’s chief broadband officer, said FlyX reflects the company’s efforts to find faster and more practical ways to expand broadband access.
“FlyX is a clear example of how we are using our network strength to rethink broadband delivery, making it faster to deploy with easy access, and more responsive to the needs of Nigerians,” he said.
The service gives MTN another fixed-broadband option as the operator continues to expand its fibre network and respond to growing demand for reliable, high-speed internet.
MTN has set a target of connecting eight million Nigerian homes to fibre within three years. However, expanding fibre infrastructure across the country presents several challenges, including lengthy approval processes, the physical work involved in installing cables, and the time required to recover deployment costs.
These challenges can make fibre expansion slower and more expensive than rolling out mobile networks. As a result, MTN has been expanding its fixed-broadband portfolio while continuing to invest in FibreX.
FlyX is currently offered through two unlimited plans. The 50Mbps package costs US$22.57 for 30 days, while the 100Mbps package costs US$34 for the same period. MTN provides the required outdoor and indoor equipment, with installation included.
The service forms part of the company’s wider Connected Home and SME Broadband strategy, which is focused on providing fixed connectivity options for residential customers and small and medium-sized businesses.
FlyX targets customers outside MTN’s current fibre footprint but within suitable 5G coverage. It therefore lets the operator extend fixed broadband without waiting for fibre infrastructure to reach every location.
MTN’s FibreX service delivers broadband over fibre, with available packages offering speeds of up to 150Mbps. FlyX complements that offering by using the existing 5G network to provide fixed connectivity where fibre deployment remains limited.
For MTN, the new service could help close gaps between the rapid expansion of mobile connectivity and the slower rollout of fixed-line broadband across Nigeria.
