http://www.techtimesnews.net/articles.asp?id=588The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) and Suburban Broadband Limited (b2) have formed an alliance in a $5 million project to roll out Nigeria’s biggest city Wi-Fi service in Abuja.
FCTA through the Abuja Investment and Property Development Company (AIPDC) holds a 20 per cent stake in the wi-fi service while 80 per cent is held by Suburban Broadband (b2).
Corporate Affairs Manager, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Suburban Broadband Limited, says the project cost which excludes marketing costs will enable users to communicate effectively and on the move in Abuja, the nation’s seat of government.
Under a Private-Public Partnership (PPP), the FCTA and Suburban Broadband Limited (b2) will flag off what they described as Nigeria’s first cost effective city-wide Wireless Internet Network (WIN).
Nwogwugwu says the pilot phase of the project completed earlier this year saw the deployment of six hot spots in the city at sites like Millennium Park; FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority) Secretariat in Area 11. Others include Model Secondary School, Maitama; National Children’s Park and Zoo, Asokoro; Kadanya Street, Life Camp and Old Federal Secretariat, Garki Area 3.
She says that residents within the vicinity of these locations have been allowed to enjoy the free service under a pilot to run till 2006 when the CT Access project shall be commercialised.
Suburban Broadband Limited says another 14 hot spots have since been rolled out thus bringing the total to 20 bringing within coverage such sites as Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Wuse Zone 4; Parks & Recreation Office, Asokoro.
Others include Force Headquarters, CBD; Aso FM, Katampe Hill; Ministers’ Quarters, Mabushi; Penniel Apartments, Wuse II; Officer’s Mess, Wu Bassey Barracks; Senior officer’s Quarters, Niger Barracks; Brigade of Guards HQ and Aminu Kano/Ahmadu Bello Way Junction Park, Wuse II.
Other locations (both indoor and outdoor) where access points will be set up with the intervention of FCTA by next year are other public parks; Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (international and local wings); Le Meridien Hotel and the International Conference Centre; National Assembly; Federal Secretariat; Presidential Banquet Hall; Schools undergoing computerisation; Fast Food restaurants; Musa Yaradua Centre; Public Libraries and other locations where mobile professionals and other residents congregate.
Nwogwugwu says the company plans to triple the number of hot spots to 60 before the end of the first half of 2006 to enable users enjoy enjoy broadband data via an access device plugged into the PCMCIA slot on their laptops.
She says that mobile IP phones can also be used by customers to make voice calls and “customers can surf the internet, even while moving at speeds of up to 100 km/hour. Also, customers utilising an IP based PABX can through the company’s Managed IP PABX (voice) Services plug their voice network directly to an access device and route their internal office calls wirelessly over the network.
"Others using next generation applications like Skype on their mobile phones can benefit from having their calls routed over the wireless network, which connects them to their VoIP service provider”, she adds.
Also, residents requiring high speed Internet access through the wireless network in their homes or businesses will have to contact the firm to get access devices installed at their premises. Help lines and call centres will be set up for customers to make enquiries or lodge complaints. A link for the abujactaccess.com website has also been established on the
www.b2broadband.net and
www.fct.gov.ng websites.
Under the project plan, the Nwogwugwu says the company plans to triple the number of hot spots to 60 before the end of the first half of 2006.
By the beginning of 2006, the CT Access project will be commercialised through the sale of scratch cards which will be sold at affordable rates and enable users access the Internet with their laptop computers at public places where hot spots are available.
Scratch cards, depending on the price value determined by the firm may be sold in denominations as low as N500. Higher denominations will also be sold for resident needing Internet access for longer periods.
On the benefits of the project, Nwogwugwu says that “this technology enabler will help bridge the digital divide that now exists due to unavailability and affordability of Internet and data related infrastructure and services.”
She says the network will also contribute to FCTA’s objective of making Abuja a tourism haven, increase socio-economic activities within the city and enhance visitor’s experience.
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