Glo, FAAN launch airport ultra-high speed Wi-Fi

Users of Nigeria’s airports will now be able to connect wirelessly to the internet through their smart phones, tablets, laptops and other smart devices, thanks to the country’s first-ever comprehensive airport Wi-Fi facility installed by Globacom, Nigeria’s national telecoms carrier.

Launched in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the facility was formally commissioned by senior government officials, led by Osita Chidoka, minister of aviation, and senior executives of Globacom, the managing directors of FAAN and National Airspace Management Agency, the rector of Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, and other dignitaries.

According to Ike Oraekwuotu, Globacom’s coordinator, business solutions, the facility, which will be available at both the domestic and the international wings of key airports across the country, has been made possible by the great vision and passion demonstrated by the ministry of aviation and FAAN, working diligently with Globacom.

“Globacom is delighted 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, the MMIA,”‎ he said,

In a presentation, Ashok Israni, Globacom’s regional chief marketing officer, said “all passengers using the airport, irrespective of the mobile network they are on, will be able to connect to the facility. 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, according to him, 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.

According to him, users can access the internet at the speed of as much as 100 megabits per second anywhere around the MMIA, including the departure, arrival and executive lounges, ticketing and waiting areas as well as passengers welcoming lobby. He said the service will be available over time in 22 airports nationwide.

While formally commissioning the facility, Osita Chidoka, aviation minister, described the launch of the facility as a major milestone in Nigeria’s march towards greatness, saying “it constitutes one of the critical steps necessary for unleashing the latent energy of the nation towards unlocking the potential of the giant of Africa.” He commended Globacom for the hard work put into the project, despite several obstacles encountered along the way.

“I am happy that on the eve of my departure, this facility is up and running. We selected Globacom for this project based on nationalistic instinct and I’m proud we did because they have made the nation proud by delivering the project on time,” he said.

Saleh Dunoma, managing director of FAAN, said the launch was a realisation of a commitment the minister of aviation made in order to improve passenger experience in the country, saying one of the numerous complaints the authority had encountered was lack of internet connectivity at the airports, and hoped the coverage of the facility would be extended to new buildings under construction at the airports.

 

BEN UZOR