Swift Network will give 10,000 locations around Lagos State free wi-fi hotspots between now and 6 six months. The service will be provided under a programme termed Red Cheetah.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Charles Anudu, the Chief Executive Officer of Swift Network. With 500 hotspots already activated, he told journalists that the service will be supported by advertising revenues from leading global brands and partners. He added that Red Cheetah was expected to help deepen Nigeria’s broadband penetration and aspiration for universal Internet access for greater social equity and inclusion.
The service will be activated with the installation of modems at designated places including schools, open markets, restaurants, airport, buses, shopping malls, bars, among others, added that users would have to download the Red Cheetah app, for Android free from Google Play Store or www.redcheetah.net and complete a mandatory one-time online registration process.
According to the CEO said the service went live in Lagos earlier this month at certain locations including MMA2, Hard Rock Café, Shiro restaurant, Festival Mall, some Tastee Fried Chicken and Bukka Hut outlets, 250 BRT buses, Eko Hospital and in over 200 BRT buses.
In a related development, cities, towns and villages across the European Union are invited to register for cash to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in places like parks, squares and public buildings.
Under the WiFi4EU project, 1,000 places will be able to claim €15,000 this year, to make it happen. The aim is to make it easier for all to get free, hi-speed Wi-Fi across the bloc.
“We are not here to duplicate a service that exists, we are not going to cover an area that is already covered, so there is a very clear objective here, to have connectivity throughout Europe, so that this connectivity can benefit every region and every citizen,” Maria Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society.
And it’s a big deal from Brussels, with €120 million being pledged overall.
