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Tag: WiFi

  • How Nigeria can grow WiFi cash share to $33b

    How Nigeria can grow WiFi cash share to $33b

    Deploying part of the 6 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band for Wi-Fi -6 applications can increase Nigeria’s share of global WiFi system cash from $16 billion to $33 billion by next year, according to Intel Corporation.

    It will also unleash a fresh fillip to the Federal Government’s push to deepen broadband penetration and boost the nation’s economy.

    But achieving these milestones would not come so easily if intentional efforts are not made to address challenges along the way, according to experts including Prof. Caroline O.Alenoghena Professor of Telecommunications Engineering and Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Director, Government Affairs Africa and IGA CTO Liaison (PE), Intel Corporation, Dr. Bienvenu Agbokpontos Soglo, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) President, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, and his counterpart in the Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo. They spoke in Lagos at a forum organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    Giving her overview of Nigeria’s telecom space, Prof Alenoghena said the country currently suffers from limited rural connectivity, power supply issues affecting network reliability and spectrum scarcity in densely populated urban areas.

    She however said deploying the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi use has the potential to increase wireless capacity and speeds; reduce network congestion; enable advanced applications (such as AR/VR, smart cities); support for more connected devices; boost economic growth through improved connectivity; closing the digital divide in rural areas; enhanced educational opportunities via online learning; and improved telemedicine capabilities.

    She nonetheless identified technical, regulatory, economic, and social challenges that are likely going to truncate the advantages inherent in the technology deployment.

    According to the don, technical challenges include infrastructure requirements, device ecosystem development, spectrum allocation and management, interference mitigation, and infrastructure upgrades while regulatory challenges include spectrum allocation and licensing, balancing different stakeholders’ interests, and developing a comprehensive policy framework.

    Economic challenges include investment requirements, affordability on the part of end-users, and market competition while to her, social challenges include digital inclusion considerations, rural coverage, and skilled workforce shortage.

     “The deployment of 6GHz technology requires significant infrastructure upgrades, including new base stations, antennas, and fiber optic cables.

     “The success of 6GHz deployment depends on the availability of a wide range of compatible devices, including smartphones, laptops, and routers.

    ”Efficient spectrum allocation and management are crucial to ensure that the 6GHz band is used effectively and without interference.”

     “Defining and allocating the 6GHz band for unlicensed use, balancing needs of different stakeholders,” Prof Alenoghena said, adding that there was need to develop a comprehensive policies for 6GHz use, aligning with international standards while addressing local needs with focus on appropriate licensing models, setting fair and effective licensing fees if applicable.

    Speaking to the investment requirements, the Prof said high upfront costs for network infrastructure upgrades, potential need for government subsidise or public-private partnerships. Her position aligned with the clarion call on the Federal Government by both ALTON and ATCON.

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    Chairman, ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, appealed to the Federal government to assist operators in upgrading to the new spectrum.

    Represented by the Executive Secretary, ALTON, Gbolahan Awonuga, stated. “The ICT industry has done a lot for the country and I believe the sector should not be neglected. We are not isolated from the harsh financial ecosystem. We need money to upgrade our infrastructure and import equipment, so as to benefit from the 6GHz. Our members are struggling to expand their infrastructure. We appeal to the federal government to come to our aid.”

    ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, said the 6GHz band represents a critical asset for future telecommunications growth, and stressed the need to balance the needs of unlicensed use (WiFi-6) with the equally important licensed spectrum needed for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).

    Deploying services on the 6GHz band will also require significant investments in upgrading infrastructure, both for mobile networks and WiFi systems, Emoekpere said, adding that operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must have the capacity to absorb this new technology.

    “Policies that foster public-private partnerships, reduce Right of Way (RoW) charges, and simplify regulatory hurdles will be critical to achieving the infrastructure expansion necessary for a successful deployment. A particular consideration here is the role of smaller, local ISPs who may not have the financial capacity to compete for high-cost licensed spectrum but can greatly benefit from the unlicensed spectrum provided by WiFi-6. “Supporting these smaller ISPs will encourage their proliferation, contributing significantly to broadband penetration in underserved and rural areas. One of the most exciting promises of WiFi-6 and IMT deployment is its potential to bring high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved and rural areas,” Emoekpere said, urging the NCC to ensure that the regulatory framework fosters inclusive access and equitable distribution of technology.

    “Affordability should remain a key concern, and consumer protection policies must accompany technological advances to avoid creating or widening digital divides,” he said.

    Prof Alenoghena expressed fear of possible market dominance by larger telecom companies, adding that ensuring fair competition and preventing monopolistic practices are imperatives.

    Like Emoekpere she stressed the need to ensure that new services are priced accessible for the average Nigerian, balancing service costs with infrastructure investment needs.

     “Unclear timeline for profitability, especially in less densely populated areas, balancing investment with expected revenue in different regions,” she said on return on investment uncertainty.

    Dr. Soglo made largely technical recommendations on the use of 6 GHz for Wi-Fi 6 in the country.

    The Intel Corp chief said extensive technical studies have already shown that wireless access systems (WAS) and radio local area networks (RLANs) can operate in the entire 6 GHz band (5 925 – 7 125 MHz) without adversely impacting incumbents’ operations.

    Many countries around the world have opened up the full or part of the 6 GHz band for WAS/RLAN (Wi-Fi 6E) including in Kenya, Mauritius, Morroco, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.

    Dr Soglo therefore recommend to Nigeria to open the lower part of the 6 GHz (5 925 – 6 425 MHz) band as soon as possible as recommended by the ATU-R Recommendation 005-0® for license-exempt low power indoor (LPI) and very low power (VLP) outdoor use.

     “We would like to recommend for NCC/Nigeria to contribute and actively participate in the ITU-R studies seeking to develop a report to facilitate the coordination of the coexistence of the fixed satellite services and IMT in the upper 6GHz band; consider looking at ongoing work in CEPT on Feasibility of shared use of the 6 425 – 7 125 MHz frequency

    band by MFCN (Mobile/Fixed Communication Network) and WAS/RLAN (e.g. Wi-Fi 6) with the draft ECC (which) Report (is) anticipated to be finalized in September 2024 for public consultation; recommend to NCC/Nigeria to consider the outcomes of the ongoing ITU-R studies as well as the outcomes of the implementation actions from ATU via its Task Groups to make informed decision on the use of the band,” Dr Soglo said.

  • Shoppers to enjoy free Wifi service at SPAR

    Shoppers to enjoy free Wifi service at SPAR

    SPAR Nigeria has taken its service delivery a notch higher with the introduction of Free Internet services in its stores nationwide.

    The project, which kicked off yesterday, began at the Ilupeju branch of the Hypermarket and will be implemented across stores nationwide in the coming weeks.

    The free Wifi service is being rolled out using KonneXion Wifi engine in partnership with Internet Solutions Nigeria Limited (ISN) andMelvic Gold Communications (MGC) who have ensured that service will be available to any shoppers using a smartphone, tablet or a laptop that has built-in Wi-Fi

    SPAR’s spokesperson Mr. John Goldsmith explaines: ”We are glad to announce the launch of Free Wi Fi service from SPAR Ilupeju store. We are sure the Free Wifi service is in line with our shopper expectation and it will surely delight our shoppers and add joy to their shopping experience.”

    The Wifi routers are placed in strategic locations inside the store so that shoppers can enjoy a seamless browsing experience in each and every corner of the store. We have done an extensive heat mapping of the shopper flow inside our stores and identified the best locations to deploy the routers. As it happens in all product and service launches, we too will go through a learning phase which will help us fine tune service to deliver superior connectivity for all our shoppers.”

    Shoppers will need to complete a one-time registration with their email address after which they will be able to use a maximum of 30 minutes of FREE Wifi daily. Shoppers can come every day and use Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes which is a fair approximation to time spent in the store.

    According to Internet Solutions’ Chief Innovation Officer, Mr. Tosin Odulami, this partnership with SPAR Nigeria is a welcome development because it brings us closer to the people and shoppers can look forward to hitchless Wifi experience on our platform while shopping at all SPAR stores nationwide.”

    One of the core pillars of SPAR is customer service which comprises of any aspect an aspiring customer expect from a modern retail store. In Africa’s emerging economy, free Wifi is one of such value-adding services that shoppers especially the youth segment looks for in any place of shopping location.

    Goldsmith stated further: “Our most exciting moments are captured when our shoppers come into our stores, have a fantastic experience and leave satisfied. We look forward to exploring more shopping patterns in our loyal shoppers that can enable us to do better in meeting their shopping experience expectations and needs.”

  • Ambode launches free public WiFi

    Ambode launches free public WiFi

    Lagos State government yesterday launched free public Wi-Fi at parks and gardens in its resolve to achieve its smart mega city status.

    The initiative was kick-started at popular Ndubuisi Kkanu Park,Alausa, Ikeja, while others are expected to follow suit, according to the state government.

    The launch of the initiative is part of activities to mark the 50 year anniversary of the creation of the state.

    Speaking on the occasion, the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said the provision of the free Wi-Fi was part of his administration’s effort to make the state work for all and sundry.

    Represented by the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. OlufemiOdubiyi, the governor stressed that the increased in patronage of parks and gardens spread across the state has prompted the government to equip the centres with free Wi-Fi to serve the needs of visitors to the parks.

    “Parks and Gardens are established to provide conducive environment for recreation and relaxation activities. As you relax and enjoy the recreational facilities in these parks, we are making it possible for you to access your mail, browse and search the internet on your tablets, smart phones and laptops via a reliable public Wi-Fi,”Ambode said, adding that the number of gardens and parks in the state has increased with the opening of the Badagry Recreation Park, recently.

    A statement endorsed by the Chief Public Affairs Officer, Ministry of Science and Technology, Bolarinwa Yusuf, explained that the governor urged the people of the state to make judicious use of the newly launched portal known as “Citizens Gate”, a platform designed by the government to bridge the communication gap between the citizens and the government.

  • Aero, firm sign deal on Wifi for passengers

    As part of its comitment to provide world-class internet service experience, Spectranet 4G LTE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aero Contractors to provide free internet service to  passengers of the airline at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two ( MMA2) in Lagos.

    Speaking at the ceremony at the weekend in Lagos, Spectranet Chief Executive Officer, David Venn, said the Spectranet brand is driven by innovation towards endless experience for consumers across all level, to  enable  them  connect to the internet, irrespective of their  location .

    He said the  choice of Aero was clear and deliberate, based on the strategic discovery of the strength of the airline’s  brand as a leading player in the air transport value chain .

    “Our partnership with Aero Contractors is a statement of the aspiration of Spectranet as a leading brand of ISP and we want to continue to scale up our performance, thus the choice of Aero contractors as a partner to give special experience to  passengers at the Murtala Mohammed Airport,” David said.

    While welcoming the Spectranet team,  Aero Contractors’ Chief Executive Officer, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, said it was exciting to partner with a brand, such as Spectranet 4GLTE, a brand with huge ambitions in the market.

    He praised the Spectranet 4G LTE team for the initiative and drive to contribute to the culture of excellence of Aero with the provision of its internet service offering.

    Captain Akinkuotu said: “We are driven by a culture of excellence and everything we do, from tangible to intangible, is anchored on excellence, so this relationship is a combination of a testimonial to the excellent nature of the Spectranet brand in the market as well as an endorsement of our culture of excellence.”

    He said though the service offering will be in Lagos,      he hoped it would grow with the brand to other markets as the customers of Aero Contractors are in every state of the federation.

    Assuring the Aero Contractors team on its plan to expand across the country, David Venn reiterated       that the firm’s presence is in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan with plans at advanced stages to be in more cities of the country.

     

  • How to improve WiFi experience

    How to improve WiFi experience

    Moving  WiFi router around  home or office with the aim of maximising signal coverage could be a challenge.

    Wi-Fi signals emitted from a router can be blocked or weakened by a variety of factors – which can leave users with weak signal and, ultimately, a poor internet connection on their Wi-Fi-enabled device.

    Wi-Fi signals are short radio waves, with a single Wi-Fi router generally having a range of around 50 metres.

    The Wi-Fi signals get weaker as they travel away from the router, and are blocked and absorbed by walls and other barriers.

    Experts have come out with solutions on how these limitations could be tackled. These are:

    • Place router in the open

    The first step to overcome this challenge is to position the router near the centre of the house or office so that signal strength is evenly distributed throughout the building.

    Make sure it is in the open, and not hidden behind walls or bookcases– use line of sight to determine the least-cluttered position for the router.

    • Keep router off the ground

    Since most routers are designed to broadcast waves slightly downwards, placing routers on an elevated surface aids in signal distribution.

    The signals Wi-Fi routers give off also can’t penetrate some of the materials that make up floors, like metal and concrete.

    • Keep router away from other electronics

    Electronic devices may interfere with the router’s signal. Therefore, television sets, computers, microwaves, and devices with a motor inside all hinder signal reception. Routers should not be placed near one of these devices if the best must come out of them.

    • Point router antennas in different directions

    Most routers have two antennas – you may want to position one vertically and one horizontally.

    Devices work best when their antennas are parallel with a router’s, and the vertical/horizontal antenna placement optimises the chance of this occurring.

    Antennas inside laptops are usually horizontal, and antennas in a smartphone or a tablet can be either horizontal or vertical, depending on how you hold the device.

    • Measure signal strength

    If there are problems connecting to the router, measure the Wi-Fi signal strength around your house/office or the location where the router is being used.

    There are a variety of apps available which can measure signal strength, and help to find weak spots.

     

  • Huawei deploys WiFi to busiest stadium

    Chinese tech giant, Huawei Technologies has deployed its high-density WiFi solution the Borussia Dortmund Football Club after completing comprehensive comparisons and tests.

    The objective was to establish a wireless network in the club’s home stadium, Signal Iduna Park. With an average attendance of more than 80,500 people, the stadium is the busiest football club in the world. The club selected Huawei’s solution which provides high-density user access and multi-service operation, enhancing the experience for fans at the stadium.

    According to the tech firm, the project encountered some challenges in relation to planning, high-density user access and differentiated services to fit the business model. The first challenge related to planning. Wireless data that is transmitted through electromagnetic waves can penetrate obstacles, be refracted or interfere with one another. In order to map electromagnetic waves like network cables, Huawei engineers developed an automatic planning tool.  The tool was successfully implemented to design a high-performance wireless network covering the stadium. The result was a flawless network design forming the basis for high network quality and successful network operations.

    “The second challenge was in relation to high-density user access. When large audiences share moments via mobile devices, a single access point must provide high-speed access for several hundred users. Low-performance networks will break-down in these circumstances. The Huawei high-density stadium WiFi solution uses various control and scheduling technologies to address user access, service transmission, and roaming problems. By doing so, the network performance was improved by 30 per cent, enabling each access point (AP) to provide access for more than 100 users. In addition, the network was created to be flexible, agile and capable of supporting future service growth,” the firm explained.

    The third challenge was in providing differentiated services to adapt to the new business model. Economic interests needed to be balanced with user experience, with basic network access Internet services provided for free. The Huawei high-density stadium Wi-Fi solution allowed the business model to be profitable by deeply integrating IT services with network services. This allowed the customer to maximise return on investment from new services on the wireless network.

    The Huawei high-density stadium Wi-Fi solution helps create smart stadiums with reliable, fast, innovative wireless networks.

    The rapidly developing mobile Internet connects users anywhere, anytime. According to Deloitte’s research on customer behaviors in 2013, Wi-Fi is now the most popular choice for wireless network access. The research report shows that 69 per cent of smartphone users use Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet at home, office, or school, more than 2G and 3G systems. In addition to private network usage, 43 per cent of smartphone users connect to the Internet using public Wi-Fi access.

    This surge in mobile internet access has also affected retail trends, with increasing numbers of shoppers now using their mobile devices to shop online.

    Users’ preferences for absorbing messages are also evolving, with around 55 per cent of users preferring mobile commercials to televisual or traditional Internet commercials. The mobile trend is set to grow according to InMobi, a mobile advertising company that predicts that mobile shopping will grow by more than 35 per cent in 2014.