Nigerian Airports are set to have Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) facility across, it has emerged.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is providing the service in partnership with Globacom Ltd. It has already launched at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
Speaking at the launch, Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, said the launch was a realization of the Aviation Ministry’s commitment to improving passenger experience in the country.
According to him, there had been numerous complaints about the lack of internet connectivity at the airports. He therefore urged Globacom to also extend the Wi-Fi coverage of to the new buildings under construction at the airport when they are ready.
In his remarks, Globacom’s Coordinator for Business Solutions, Ike Oraekwuotu, expressed the company’s delight to “bring Nigeria up to speed with one of the best trends in the aviation industry worldwide by introducing ultra high speed Wi-Fi data experience for travellers and other users of our airports, beginning with Nigeria’s flagship airport.”
“Millions of Nigerians who use and international travellers who use the 26 airports operated by FAAN deserve a super fast and reliable internet connectivity to stay in touch with loved ones and transact their businesses even while on transit. That is the state of the aviation industry in many of the advanced countries today. Travellers waiting at airports for their flights are able to hook up to the internet using airport Wi-Fi facilities in order to maintain contact with their loved ones, colleagues, friends and business associates.
“Airport Wi-Fi facilities have proven to be a very useful resource for cutting back on the billions of unproductive man hours spent by travellers, especially business travellers, waiting for flights at airports across the world,” he added.
He said the facility will be available at both the domestic and international wings of the Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports.
He also said the second phase of the project would cover 12 airports across the country adding that “Globacom is working hard to ensure that this is delivered in the next 10 weeks.”
However, the services are not free, according to Globacom’s regional chief marketing officer, Mr. Ashok Israni. After passengers have been connected to the service, “They will subsequently be directed to a subscription page where they will be able to buy a Wi-Fi data plan through three options. The options include using an existing data plan the subscriber has with Globacom, or by recharging their line through a Glo recharge card available at the Glo kiosks at the airport, or by paying for the Wi-Fi plan through a credit card.
“Whichever option a subscriber goes for, they are ushered into a world of reliable, ultra-fast internet so that they can keep in touch with their relatives, friends, colleagues and associates regardless of whether they are connected to a mobile network or not,” he said.