Google launches network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in Lagos

Oredola Adeola |

Google has launched network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in Lagos, Nigeria, partnership with 21st Century Technologies Limited and Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN), two Nigerian fiber cable network providers, to provide public Wi-Fi service called Google Station to Nigerians, in six places in Lagos, including the city’s airport.

The Google Station project was unveiled by Google's Vice-President for Product Management Anjali Joshi on Thursday at Google for Nigeria event which was also attended by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President.

Speaking about the new develop, Google’s VP disclosed that Nigeria is the fifth country to host the Google Station, after India, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand. He added that the service is aimed at countries with rapidly expanding populations.

He said, “We are rolling out the service in Lagos, but the plan is to quickly expand to other locations. Google aimed to collaborate with internet service providers to reach millions of Nigerians in 200 public spaces across five cities by the end of 2019.

“ We plan to generate revenue from the service in Nigeria by placing Google adverts in the login portal. The revenue would be shared with our partners to help them maintain and deploy the Wi-Fi service," Joshi revealed.

In his remark, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed that the Buhari administration’s goal is to create a data-driven digital economy; one that will lead the way not just in Africa, but globally as well.

He affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to democratising artificial Intelligence, as quantum leap in the African development story and part of the major contribution to Global stability and growth.

He said, “In order to solve the challenge of connectivity, the Federal Government is extending broadband reach. And as part of measure to make data cheaper, we asked the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), we have initiated the National Broadband Policy, license a number of Infrastructure Companies (Infracos), who will invest in rolling out broadband infrastructure across Nigeria.

“We believe we can extend broadband reach significantly in a year or two. We will partner in whatever way we can with Google and Nigerian broadband providers like 21st Century Technologies Limited and Backbone Connectivity Network, to quickly achieve extensive broadband coverage,” he stated this at the Google event.

Osinbajo however noted that the government is very clear about the potential of technology, adding that the administration is committed to unlocking that potential.

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