Your Internet Provider May Still Own Your Router: What Airtel, MTN and Others Say

Paying for home internet does not always mean you own the router or other equipment installed in your home. Some Nigerian providers supply devices on a free-to-use or leased basis and can request their return after cancellation or prolonged inactivity. Airtel’s SmartConnect ODU terms allow recovery of its equipment after 45 days of inactivity, following a 15-day notice. MTN’s FLY X terms state that its outdoor unit remains company property and may be retrieved after 90 days without an active subscription. Spectranet, WiFiber, Dotmac and MetroReach also distinguish between equipment supplied by the provider and devices bought outright by customers. Before subscribing, check whether the device is being sold to you, the return deadline, access requirements and any replacement charge for unreturned or damaged equipment. The rules differ by provider and package. A router purchased outright is generally yours to keep, while provider-owned equipment may need to be returned when the service ends.

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