Some traders and other users of the Google Free WiFi in Wuse market, Banex and Emab plaza in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
on Thursday reacted differently to the internet service launched in December 2018.
Some of the WiFi users in Wuse market told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Abuja that they were enjoying free internet connectivity, while
some at the Banex and Emab plaza said network was unstable.
The search engine, in collaboration with the Federal Government in December 2018 launched free WiFi stations in Wuse market, as well as the Banex
and Emab plaza in the FCT to assist the people with internet connectivity.
The free internet service was part of Google’s efforts toward increasing internet accessibility to millions of Nigerians.
Google free WiFi stations were also launched in Lagos in July 2018.
Mr Ikenna Obioma, a trader in Wuse market, commended Google and government for the service, saying he had been enjoying free internet since December when the connectivity was launched.
He added that “the Google free internet service is a welcome development and ever since it was launched, I have been enjoying it.
“There are Google staff who go round the market to sensitise people on the service and once they connect you, you can enjoy unlimited internet access anywhere around the market.”
A Wuse market management staff who would not want to be identified said traders in the market are happy about the service.
According to her, the free internet can help traders to save their data to whenever they are away from the market area.
She, however, urged Google to extend the free internet to other areas in Abuja where there were clusters of people.
However, Mr Taiwo Tobi, the Director, Intercontinental Phone and Accessories in Abuja, said users in the Banex and Emab plaza received the service with excitement but got disappointed as network instability set in later.
Tobi said “we are aware of the Google free internet but network is epileptic, maybe due to the high population of people using the service around the plaza.”
He explained that network was better in the morning and later at night, while it became saturated during the day.
He added that the free internet connects better on mobile phones compared to laptops.
A bank staff also in Banex plaza who spoke on anonymity said that anytime institutions did something free for Nigerians, there was a motive behind such action.
He said that “in Nigeria, we don’t believe in any free thing, so I have never tried it. I always make use of my personal data.
“If Google is connecting people to free internet, it will just take time for us to know why they are doing that.”
Mr Benjamin Osondu at Emab plaza, commended the service but said users witnessed failures once many people got connected, especially in the afternoon.
Osondu added that “the Google internet is working well, in fact that is what we are using now because it is still early.”
Timothy Enyi, an MTN agent at Emab plaza, also commended Google for the service and called for its sustainance for many years to come. (NAN)
