The issue
of ensuring universal access to the internet is an old one that has become
increasingly better understood, and more achievable, since the early days of
the world wide web, when access was limited to a few.
Today, internet access is taken for granted by people in developed
countries – fast, always-on broadband is a mainstay of their lives and
economies. In the Global South, which refers to low and middle-income countries
across the world, including Nigeria, the situation is very different. However,
access to the internet is often unreliable, slow and expensive – if it is
available at all. There are strong economic drivers behind the move to provide
universal access.
The internet continues to be a key engine of growth for
businesses in Africa and globally, with McKinsey’s estimates putting its total
GDP contribution in Africa at $300 billion within the coming decade. Although
Africa’s online population, which is currently estimated at 474 million by
Internet World Stats, is said to have grown by a rate of over 10 000% since
2000, the continent is yet to enjoy a corresponding increase in the size of its
web economy. Growing this web economy and bridging the digital divide largely
requires the achievement of universal access – people cannot learn to use and
benefit from online services they cannot access. Rolling out telecommunications
infrastructure and operating networks and providing internet access comes at a
cost, however.
Governments, civil society and private sector organisations
across the world are working on ways to provide internet access cheaply (if not
freely), and reliably to everyone. One of the models gaining traction globally
in both developed and Global South countries is free public wifi. Free public
wifi is provided through a number of cost models. An increasingly common one is
full subsidisation by the relevant local government authority. This sees free
public wifi access provided in places like tourist hot spots, educational
institutions, transport hubs and so on.
There are several reasons why a government
would choose to do this. It is a value-add to citizens, enabling them to
connect and derive the economic benefits thereof, which then increases the tax
base. It makes the city or town more attractive to tourists, as they can stay
connected at no cost. Moreover, a city-wide wifi network can be used for far
more than just free connectivity. Connected trash cans, power grids, traffic
lights and sensors can all help turn a city into a smart city, with all of the
benefits it brings. An example of this model is the Tshwane Free Wifi project
rolled out by the City of Tshwane, with Project Isizwe and Herotel Telecoms, in
South Africa and the extensive government-backed network in Seoul, South Korea,
Another model relies on advertising revenue to cover the cost of the service.
This model has been rolled out here, in Lagos and Abuja, by Google through its
Google Station Project. Venues, system integrators, businesses and ISPs, with
access to fibre, can use the GStation platform (in this instance) to set up, maintain
and monetise their wifi networks. These free public wifi access points are
provided in high-traffic areas like bus stations, markets, shopping malls,
airports, and universities. Ad space is sold on a first-come-first-served basis
to organisations looking to reach people in those areas, and this provides a
revenue stream to the network and platform provider. The ads are shown on the
login screen so every user sees them. This model is in use in other
countries,including South Africa (in the Western Cape), and France (WiFiLib)
which uses a combination of advertising revenue, premium access and business
services to cover the cost. Government has a mandate to increase internet
access to all Nigerians.
It cannot do it alone, however. Nigerian organisations
have a responsibility to do their bit as well, however they can, whether it is
through CSI, partnership-based models or other means. Ultimately, the benefits
will accrue to everyone. More connected consumers means more informed people
with better access to education and job opportunities.
Education and jobs give
them better earning potential which in turn drives consumer spending and tax
revenue. It’s a win, but it needs all parties to work together to deliver this
win.
The issue of ensuring
universal access to the internet is an old one that has become
increasingly better understood, and more achievable, since the early
days of the world wide web, when access was limited to a few.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/the-role-of-free-internet-in-achieving-universal-access/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/the-role-of-free-internet-in-achieving-universal-access/
The issue of ensuring
universal access to the internet is an old one that has become
increasingly better understood, and more achievable, since the early
days of the world wide web, when access was limited to a few.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/the-role-of-free-internet-in-achieving-universal-access/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/the-role-of-free-internet-in-achieving-universal-access/
The issue of ensuring
universal access to the internet is an old one that has become
increasingly better understood, and more achievable, since the early
days of the world wide web, when access was limited to a few.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/the-role-of-free-internet-in-achieving-universal-access/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/the-role-of-free-internet-in-achieving-universal-access/
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