Nigerians are to gain access to public Wi-Fi services without mobile data, as Wave5Wireless is rolling out a new technology that is reshaping how people connect to the Internet in the country.
Wave5Wireless, a Lagos-based tech firm, is introducing Atmosphere, a connectivity platform that lets users access services such as streaming, airtime top-up, government utilities, and more—even when they run out of mobile data.
“The moment you connect to any of the Wi-Fi networks powered by Atmosphere, users can begin to connect to services and utilities without the need to be on the internet,” Ayowande Adalemo, CEO of Wave5Wireless, tells Technology Times in an exclusive interview.
“When you buy a Glo SIM and load it, you can buy a bundle that allows you to use both Glo Wi-Fi and regular mobile data,” Adalemo adds. “That’s never been done before in this country.”
Turning Wi-Fi into a utility layer
Unlike conventional public Wi-Fi found in cafes or airports, Atmosphere functions as a “multi-protocol provisioning system” that makes certain services accessible without a traditional internet connection.
Adalemo explains the idea stems from a common frustration among mobile users: data exhaustion. “It happened to me this morning,” he recounts. “I didn’t know my data had run out. I was struggling. I couldn’t load my account. But if I’m on the Wi-Fi network powered by Atmosphere, I can buy airtime or data without having internet access.”
The technology lets users engage with services like Showmax, fintech apps, or government platforms directly from their Wi-Fi landing page.
“As long as you can integrate with our Wi-Fi network, the moment users connect, they can see a product and use it—without paying for internet access,” Adalemo says.
Behind the Scenes: Powering Glo Wi-Fi
The innovation is quietly powering Glo Wi-Fi, the recently-launched public Wi-Fi service by Nigerian telecoms operator, Globacom. Under a backend deal, Adalemo says that Wave5Wireless is provisioning the infrastructure that allows Glo subscribers to switch seamlessly between mobile data and Wi-Fi.
“The difference between us and every other Wi-Fi provider is that we’re not just giving users internet access. We’re aggregating essential services and utilities, making them instantly accessible on the Wi-Fi landing page,” the Wave5Wireless CEO says.
“When you buy a Glo SIM and load it, you can buy a bundle that allows you to use both Glo Wi-Fi and regular mobile data,” Adalemo adds. “That’s never been done before in this country.”
He explains that users can get more value for money. “With ₦500 on Globacom, you may buy 300MB of mobile data. But with Glo Wi-Fi, you can get one hour of access over three days—and download up to 2GB in that hour.”
He explains that users can get more value for money. “With ₦500 on Globacom, you may buy 300MB of mobile data. But with Glo Wi-Fi, you can get one hour of access over three days—and download up to 2GB in that hour.”
The innovation comes as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently approved mobile data tariff hikes of up to 50%, citing inflation and rising operational costs. As of January 2025, Nigeria has over 142 million active internet subscriptions, according to NCC data.
Tackling congestion and expanding market access
Adalemo says Atmosphere is helping solve network congestion while offering mobile network operators new revenue opportunities.
“In the case of Globacom, it is solving their congestion problem, earning revenue, reducing churn, and enabling them to sell value-added services that they couldn’t previously offer,” he says.
Wave5Wireless is also offering APIs that allow fintechs, content providers, and utility services to plug into the network and instantly gain access to millions of users.
“We are making access to market easy,” Adalemo says.
Lagos Government concession
Wave5Wireless is partnering with the Lagos State Government to deploy Atmosphere-powered Wi-Fi at Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) terminals and markets.
“The service went live in 2021 at Ikorodu and TBS terminals and has expanded to Sabo market in Yaba and Iponri market,” Adalemo says.
Early results show high demand.
“Within 150 days, people downloaded four petabytes of data. We had over one million Wi-Fi connections and over two million ad impressions—without any advertising.”
Wave5Wireless is preparing for a national rollout of Glo Wi-Fi, starting with major markets like Tejuosho and Arena, and more LAMATA locations.
“You’re paying less for a whole lot more with the Wi-Fi,” Adalemo says, adding that the platform is already lowering the cost of data for users.
“Within 150 days, people downloaded four petabytes of data. We had over one million Wi-Fi connections and over two million ad impressions—without any advertising.”
Solar-powered, low-maintenance infrastructure
The Wi-Fi access points are solar-powered and designed for Nigeria’s challenging power environment. Each unit can handle over 1,000 simultaneous users at speeds of up to 3.9 Gbps.
“Because it’s powered by solar, it’s up 24-7,” Adalemo explains. The routers are mounted on existing public infrastructure—walls, poles, and buildings—to reduce deployment costs and time.
Addressing privacy and data security
In response to privacy concerns, Adalemo says Wave5Wireless complies with data protection regulations. Users log in with an NCC-registered mobile number and are issued a unique access code.
“We don’t store user data. We don’t track you,” he says. “We only provide analytics for services being consumed on the Wi-Fi network.”
Client isolation technology also ensures users on the same network cannot intercept each other’s data.
More than connectivity: Ads, APIs and MyNaija Market
The company is monetising the platform through Atmosphere for Business, an advertising system where brands can upload and serve ads to users via the Wi-Fi landing page and mobile app.
“Once an ad is approved, it becomes visible on the Wi-Fi network. It’s non-intrusive, and if users are interested, they can click on it,” Adalemo says.
Wave5Wireless is also building MyNaija Market, a digital marketplace targeting informal traders. It aims to inventory market goods using AI and help verify product authenticity.
“The AI will suggest condiments you need and who is selling them in the market,” he says, adding that products can eventually be tracked via QR codes.
The platform is still in R&D, with launch planned within the next year or two.
Building the future of public Wi-Fi in Nigeria
Though Wave5Wireless has operated for a decade, much of its time has been spent in R&D. The company is now focusing on expanding Glo Wi-Fi in Lagos, with plans to scale nationally.
Adalemo says discussions are ongoing with banks and content providers, though no formal announcements have been made yet.
“We believe there is massive potential in Nigeria,” he tells Technology Times. “And we want to be at the forefront of using Atmosphere to democratise access to digital services.”
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