Google is set to launch free Wi-Fi hotspots across Nigeria throughout this year and 2019.

Google Stations will bring high-quality, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots to 200 locations across cities including Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, Abuja and Lagos. The initiative is in partnership with 21st Century, a leading internet service provider in Nigeria.

Customers of OTT services like Iroko TV, EbonyLife ON, Kwese iflix and DSTV Now can look forward to viewing content without having to bear the cost of data from telcos.

The Wi-Fi plan was among several initiatives revealed by the tech giant at its second Google for Nigeria event, which was held in Lagos last week. All are aimed at aiding internet access and data usage in Nigeria.

A recent report by FremantleMedia claimed Nigeria had the potential to be Africa’s largest digital TV market. However, one of the major obstacles to this is the cost of broadband services, which is why a number of broadcast companies form strategic partnerships with telcos to offer their subscribers better deals.

Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Google’s country director for Nigeria, said the company aimed to roll out Google Stations to as many public locations as possible, including markets, malls, bus stops, city centres, cafés and universities.

She added that Nigeria was an important market for Google and that, with the Stations initiative, the firm hoped to improve and develop technology and the digital economy in the country.

Google expects to generate cash to fund the service by placing ads in the login portal.

tagged in: Google, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor