Google deploys free Wi-Fi to Nigeria so it can show ads to more people

[Greg S]

Bottom line: Google is playing the role of service provider to bring in new customers through any means necessary. Offering free Wi-Fi to developing countries is the price of entry to collect ad revenue from millions of users new to having regular internet access.

As part of Google's efforts to bring more consumers to its services, the search giant has partnered with Nigerian fiber cable provider 21st Century to deliver Wi-Fi to the public. Dubbed Google Station, the internet service will be available in six different areas of the commercial capital Lagos, which includes an airport. Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently met with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to discuss the planned projects.

Throughout Nigeria, less than 30 percent of the population has regular access to the internet. Despite being a large producer of oil, the revenue generated from exports has not been used to improve infrastructure enough. Internet access can even be a challenge for oil companies operating in the country. For those that do theoretically have access, internet services can be far too expensive to even be considered by many residents.

By the end of 2019, Google and local partners plan to deploy internet service to more than 200 public spaces spanning five cities. Although some may see this gesture as a move of goodwill, it is also a fairly sound investment for Google. Being the dominant service provider and implementing ads on captive portal login pages will allow for new revenue generation.

Google has shared that it will be splitting ad revenue with its local partners but has not disclosed profit splitting details. Nigeria is about to be the fifth country to make use of Google Station Wi-Fi following Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and India.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/75680-google-deploys-free-wi-fi-nigeria-can-show.html

 

[ForgottenLegion]

Any chance they could send a few 'long lost cousin of a negerian prince' ads back their way?

 

[Wendig0]

And just like that, millions of Nigerian princes were able to send email.

 

[Stingy McDuck]

That's a very jaded title and caption.

 

[wiyosaya]

That's a very jaded title and caption.

Despite the title and the jokes about Nigerian princes, doing something like this is a way to snare customers. Give something away for free, and people will flock to it like flies on just about anything rotting. Micro$oft did this with its Office products like Word and Excel, and probably hundreds of millions of users are tied to Office now because of it. Some of those who are tied to Office probably even pay for it now.

Even if none of the people who sign up for this are able to afford anything that such advertising is pushing, gagme will earn advertising revenue on it. It may get those people internet access, but gagme stands to reap profits on it even if those who see the advertising buy nothing. Gagme probably even recognizes this fact, and in that case, I think the practice is hedging on exploitation.

Companies like gagme and fakebook have proven to care little about how they make their money, and IMO, they have sacrificed all honor in the name of profit.

 

[JB3543]

I honestly don't care what happens in Nigeria.

 

[dimiav]

That's a very jaded title and caption.

Despite the title and the jokes about Nigerian princes, doing something like this is a way to snare customers. Give something away for free, and people will flock to it like flies on just about anything rotting. Micro$oft did this with its Office products like Word and Excel, and probably hundreds of millions of users are tied to Office now because of it. Some of those who are tied to Office probably even pay for it now.

Even if none of the people who sign up for this are able to afford anything that such advertising is pushing, gagme will earn advertising revenue on it. It may get those people internet access, but gagme stands to reap profits on it even if those who see the advertising buy nothing. Gagme probably even recognizes this fact, and in that case, I think the practice is hedging on exploitation.

Companies like gagme and fakebook have proven to care little about how they make their money, and IMO, they have sacrificed all honor in the name of profit.

Yes, it's better for them to stay at stone age so they won't be corrupted by modern business models...
Google is providing a service, they are not a charity company and that's OK , profit is n incentive, it makes it possible that more people in Nigeria would get access to internet.