Wednesday,August 01, 2018 6.15PM / Proshare WebTV

Google one of the leading global tech companies as part of its “GoogleStation Initiative” which was launched since 2012, across four countries(India, Thailand, Mexico, and Indonesia) has added Nigerian as the fifth beneficiary.

This initiative will, however, kicked off in Lagos  first in well-populated and crowded public spotslike malls, airports, parks, transport hubs, schools/universities etc.

The hotspots are currently available at the Landmark Centre, The PalmsMall, Ikeja Mall, and Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2) Domestic AirportTerminal.

After its successful launch in Lagos, the Google Station service will beexpanded to other locations across five additional Nigerian cities namely; Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu, Ibadan.

This initiative is inpartnership with Nigerian-based fiber network provider 21st Century to installthe Wi-Fi hotspots in 200 different locations throughout Nigeria.

In this article we explore 5benefits the Google Station service will bring to Nigeria        

Boost Research and Development

With about 200 Wi-Fi hotspots planned across 5cities in Nigeria by the end of 2019, the initiative will boost research and developmentin the country.

Institutions of higher learning which will becovered in the Wi-Fi architecture and this will boost the quality of research,which is critical for a productive economy.

It will increase the online learning space whichcompanies like Phillips Consulting who have developed robust e-learningmodules, will leverage on for Nigerians

Improve Internet Access in Nigeria

According to Anjali Joshi, Vice President ProductManagement, at Google believes the initiative will fix connectivity challengesin Nigeria, improving internet access to millions of Nigerians.

This is vital to giving them the opportunity tolearn, connect, interact and keep abreast with key developments within thenation and across the globe.

With a population that has a dominant demographyof young people, it is a new opportunity for strategic engagement.

Google Country Manager Juliet Ehimuan Chiazorspeaking on the service asserted that it will unlock access to the internet,and improve the connectivity in the nation.

Through Cloud technology internet services willbecome more accessible to Nigerians, which will bring traction to digitalinclusion in the country.

Strengthen the Development of ICT Hubs

For Lagos and the five additional cities(Abuja,Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Enugu and  Ibadan)  that are to benefit fromthe Google free Wi-Fi service, there will be opportunities to establishstrategic ICT hubs and clusters, that will catalyze innovation and enhance thedigital economy.

Growth of the Digital Economy

The Google initiative will serve as one of thedrivers of the growth of the Nigerian digital economy, from e-commerce,Fintech, online based services, ICT firms, and big data firms.

It will be another platform to advance thefinancial inclusion agenda in Nigeria, through Fintech services that can reachthe unbanked Nigerians.

Bridge Digital Divide in Nigeria

With the Fourth Industrialrevolution shaping the globe through digital technology, Nigeria and Africahave to bridge the gap. The International Telecommunications Union, ITU says itremains committed to expanding digital expansion across the continent.

The Google Station “Wi-FiServices” will go a long way in bridging the digital divide in the country, andthe impact should be felt from 2020,when the six (6) cities in Nigeria areconnected.

A strategic partnership withthe telecommunications companies in the country, is essential to scaling up thedigital activities.

“Digitalconnectivity plays a critical role in bettering lives, as it opens the door tounprecedented knowledge, employment and financial opportunities for billions ofpeople worldwide,” Mr Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, InternationalTelecommunications Union said.

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1.https://www.naijatechguide.com/2018/07/google-station-free-wifi-nigeria.html

2.http://fortune.com/2018/07/27/google-nigeria-africa-wifi-hotspots/

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