By Olubunmi Adeniyi
Lagos. March 15, 2013: Oxygen Broadband Networks, a metro Wi-Fi service provider has announced that it has expanded its Wi-Fi hotspot Internet access to 10 new locations across Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.
The technology company says that the project became necessary after the success of its first pilot hot-zone that was set up at the Nigeria’s premier ICT market, Ikeja Computer Village and its environs on June 1, 2012.
Announcing the expansion at a press briefing in Lagos, Wande Adalemo, Chief Operating Officer , Oxygen Broadband Network, says the company’s plan to deploy several hotspots was designed so as to meet up with Oxygen’s original vision of “Internet for everyone.”
The new locations include Oxygen World Headquarters, Surulere; Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Complex, Surulere; E-centre – Yaba, Clean Expressions, Okota Isolo and Eva Sport and Bar, Okota, Isolo. Others include Grand Café, Amuwo Odofin; Freedom Park, Broad Street; Stallad Gardens, Abule-Egba; Choicest, Festac and Slicks Bar, VGC.
Adalemo explains that the pilot stage of the project at the Computer Village provided a flexible, cost-effective and convenient WI-FI connection, adding that it also made the convergence of various classes of service achievable as stakeholders in the market require online services extensively.
He adds found out that the Ikeja Computer Village pilot was a huge success with over 50,000 devices connecting over the network at the single location.
“In Oxygen, our belief is that everybody should be on the internet. We are only serving the little portion of the larger demand for internet services in the country”, he adds.
According to the Oygen Broadband COO, “Internet has become social and this is the space where Oxygen operates. We will continue to expand to new locations on a monthly basis, giving users a new cool experience from enjoying our super fast Wi-Fi network at comfortable, cool and serene locations.”
Under the plan, Oxygen hopes to offer service in various locations like fast food joints, hotels, airports, parks, bars and restaurants among others to meet users need, adding that the company strives to improve and expand new locations.
According to him, the latest expansion was even more achievable with a new partnership with Wavetek Nigeria Limited an innovative global ICT solutions provider with four strategic business units: Application Integration and IT Infrastructure, Cloud and Hosting Services, Education, Bandwidth and Last Mile Connectivity.
In his comment, Adelowo Adesola, a director at Oxygen Broadband says that what the company is trying to do is to bring complete innovation on the web.
According to him, the vision of Oxygen is to provide convenient and affordable broadband access to Nigerians by delivering mass market broadband through standard Wi-Fi services.
Adesola adds that Oxygen which had its commercial launch in April last year is currently not looking at the economic consideration of the business but the unique technology side of the business.
“Basically what are trying to do is to become part of the social network .The growing popularity of new devices like smartphones, tablets and netbooks has led to a massive demand for internet access in the country” he adds.
In rewarding it users, Jemmimah Esosuakpo, a Public Relations personnel at Oxygen Broadband says the Wi-Fi service provider has demonstrated its appreciation for their faith and support by organising a competition tagged “Pass For Life” across our Facebook and Twitter handle where fans were asked to tell us what Oxygen means to them.
“The response was overwhelming and at the end 10 winners emerged. These winners will be granted an opportunity to browse for 30 hours free and for life, every month across all of our superfast hotspot locations”, Esosuakpo adds.