Google launches free Wi-Fi hotspot in Nigeria

Google has launched a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in Nigeria, in a move to increase its presence in Africa’s most populous nation.

The U.S. technology firm has partnered with Nigerian fibre cable network provider 21st Century to provide its public Wi-Fi service, Google Station. The services will be available in six places in the commercial capital Lagos, including the city’s airport.

Currently, Azuri technology is using mobile technology and solar power to impact lives in Sub- Saharan Africa.

We have seen cases of people leveraging the internet to grow their careers, to get jobs, to grow their business access and we want to make that possible for more people so it is exciting for us to be able to provide this free public wifi solution through Google station.

Collins Oneko, Operations Director at Azuri technologies in charge of East Africa tells Sci tech about its Azuri Quad and Azuri TV satellite that are fully accessible for rural folks.

Meanwhile, Google’s free Wi-fi hotspot which was launched in Lagos on Thursday (July 26) has plans to quickly expand to other locations in the country. The company said it aimed to collaborate with internet service providers to reach millions of Nigerians in 200 public spaces across five cities by the end of 2019.It said it would generate cash from the service in Nigeria by placing Google adverts in the login portal. Google did not disclose the amount invested in the new Nigeria service.

The technology firm said it planned to share revenues with its partners to help them maintain and deploy the Wi-Fi service but did not disclose the expected advertising revenue split.

Nigeria is the fifth country to launch Google Station. Similar services have been launched in India, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand.