Google has partnered with United Bank for
Africa (UBA) and 21st Century Technologies to provide free WiFi across 11
locations in Lagos State, Nigeria.
This is an extension of the Google Station initiative launched at the
#GoogleforNigeria held last year.
Google
said it will roll out the initiative in 200 locations in five cities across
Nigeria by the end of 2019.
Google Station, a platform for providing free,
high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, began in Lagos last year, and
extended to Abuja in December in partnership with Backbone Connectivity
Network.
This google-powered initiative would allow customers
access to internet connectivity within the 11 branches and its environs,
thereby facilitating their day-to-day businesses and activities, while ensuring
unhindered connectivity.
The 11 branches where the
hotspot will be located are: 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.
Google Nigeria’s Country Director, noted that the
institutions remained focused on providing internet services to users for free.
She
said, “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.
“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,” she explained.
