As part of plans by Google to roll out about 200 WiFi hotspots across Nigeria, it has sealed a partnership deal with United Bank for Africa (UBA) to first of all, light up top 11 branches of the bank in Lagos with the high-speed free internet facility.
It would be recalled that the technology giant is working with an Internet Services provider (ISP), 21st Century Group to drive what it called Google Station, a platform for providing free Wi-Fi hotspots in public places. The scheme began in Lagos last year and extended to Abuja in December.
Delivery specifications revealed that the emerging google-powered initiative would allow UBA customers access to internet connectivity within the 11 branches and its environs.
Details from UBA showed that the 11 branches where the hotspot will be located include UBA Bank Road, 810-811 Bank Road, Daleko; UBA Matori, 21 Fatai Atere street; UBA Surulere, 152 Ogunlana Drive; UBA Allen, 13 Allen Avenue, Ikeja; UBA Tisco Plaza, Alausa; UBA Apapa, 11-13 Warehouse Road, Apapa; UBA Marina, 55 Marina, Lagos Island; UBA HQ, Broad Street, Marina; UBA Lekki Admiralty; UBA Oke Arin and UBA Aspamda Plaza, Trade Fair.
Giving further insights during the official launch at UBA’s Head Office, Marina, Executive Director/Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chukwuma Nweke expressed UBA’s excitement over the collaboration, adding that “The challenges of financial inclusion which the USSD platform has not been able to solve will be eased through the Google Station, as the financially excluded will now be able to access the internet and enjoy the services provided free of charge”.
According to him, “Customers will have ease of doing businesses, especially with the growing use of smart phones, and the 52 million Nigerians who have otherwise been financially excluded will now have access to data through this collaboration and can carry out their transactions with ease.
“Interestingly, SMEs, who previously had challenges with funding can now do other things which they couldn’t achieve before, such as accounting services and others. Also, UBA recently launched an educational app, and so, students will be able to use these Google Station platform to carry out their necessary research from the comfort of their homes, it is an awesome opportunity with benefits for everyone which we are presenting to our customers in line with our customer 1st philosophy.
Earlier in her remarks, Google Nigeria’s Country Director, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, noted that “With the help of our partners, we are offering high-quality internet access in heavily-trafficked areas like airports, markets, malls and bus stations throughout the country, especially in areas where there were no internet connections before.
To her, “Even with the amazing progress on expanding mobile internet, we are finding that public Wi-Fi remains a crucial step in getting free, high quality internet to everyone.”
Speaking on the benefits of the Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, Josh Woodward, director, Product Management, said “The collaboration will aim to solve a basic need and allow customers access to connectivity to assist them in their day-to-day businesses and activities”.
