Enugu launches free internet service http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/28842/45/
Written by Tony Edike
Sunday, 15 February 2009












ENUGU—GOVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State yesterday, launched a free city wide wireless internet service in the coal city, saying his administration was determined to transform the state into one of the most technologically advanced state in the country.
Speaking during the launch, Chime said that the project which is a collaborative effort between the state government ad Zinox Technologies Ltd, an indigenous information communication technology (ICT) provider, was aimed at enriching knowledge base and enhancing access to new ideas and sources of obtaining up-to-date information on virtually all issues that daily agitate the minds of the people.

According to him, such ventures will provide platforms that would lead to the rapid technological development of the state and the country, stressing that if the people can be made to be computer and internet-compliant, “then we would have started the journey to social rejuvenation and economic prosperity on a bright note”.

He said, “It is a well-known fact that the internet has occupied and will continue to occupy a critical position in the development of nations and the enthronement of progressive ideas which will propel peoples and countries on the path of greatness. There are many instances all over the world where young men and women had utilized the platform provided by internet to make new findings. The question is: why not our own people?”

Kobojunkie:

LOL . . . . I still wonder how much of the population can afford/have computers to access this free internet.

nuzo:

I also have the same concern as you do, but since its privately funded, then its a win-win situation for the government and residents of that state.

Person wey no get computer, make him use him mobile fone dey browse for the main time.

Kobojunkie:

I am not sure it works that way. You still have to pay for internet on your phone, free wifi or none. I think this benefits the company involved. Entice more people with free internet and sales of computers are sure to go up. Problem is, if other computer marketers get into the market, then this company may end up short changed.

nuzo:

Seriously, am not well schooled like you guys in this technology thingy, so, i want to know if mobile phones with wifi needs special technology to hook up in a free internet zone?

nuzo:
Having asked the above question, i still believe that Zinox will gain much more even if HP and DELL decide to build a plant in Enugu. A lot of computers are going to be needed.
As far as am concerned, its a very big opportunity for Zinox, enugu govt and the residents of the state.

Its a win-win-win situation.

Kobojunkie:

I am not sure cell phones can hook up to free wifi at all.

Don't get me wrong here! I believe it will pay Zinox; I believe this is an excellent move to increase it's customer base and increase sales, but I question the actual involvement of the government here. What part exactly did the government play in all this is what I would like to know. I think this is just all Zinox and little or not government but the government wanting so badly to be named with this.

I mean I definitely will be doing all I can to take advantage of the move in the near future. I do wonder, with no electricity to  most of the schools, how do the students take advantage of this? You give me a solution there and jackpot!

Kobojunkie:

I am not sure cell phones can hook up to free wifi at all.

Kobojunkie:

I mean I definitely will be doing all I can to take advantage of the move in the near future. I do wonder, with no electricity to most of the schools, how do the students take advantage of this? You give me a solution there and jackpot!

texazzpete:

hundreds of WLAN equipped Cellphones can connect to ANY wifi source, free or otherwise. All Nokia N- and E- Series devices, most smartphones made since 2008, iPhones, iPod Touch etc.

texazzpete:
1. Not everyone is a student
2. Many schools have electrical power in the state.
3. Free internet access opens up a new hub of information for people in their formative years. We're talking about online knowledge repositories and dictionaries among other things
4. Lots of legit business models to be pursued on the internet. This will also accelerate computer literacy and internet awareness
5. A great boon to jobseekers who need internet access to apply for jobs.

Naturally, this has a a pretty major side effect of tripling 419 and online scams from that region

texazzpete:

hundreds of WLAN equipped Cellphones can connect to ANY wifi source, free or otherwise. All Nokia N- and E- Series devices, most smartphones made since 2008, iPhones, iPod Touch etc.

aieromon:

this is akin to putting the cart before the house.u launch a wifi network without assessing the computer per house ratio?pleaseeeeee

so sickening!!!

nuzo:

Kobo was beginning to convince me that i already have the special phone the blackberry company was making for Obama.

Kobojunkie:

my first hearing of this.

Kobojunkie:

You did mention many schools having electrical power, and I have to ask since that is what I am more concerned about, can you name some of these schools?

MrCrackles:

Topic

Not sure about this, talking about misplaced priority!

Good news for yahoo yahoo boys sha!

MrCrackles:

Topic

Not sure about this, talking about misplaced priority!

Good news for yahoo yahoo boys sha!

HeatFusion:

Good news for Method-Man

HeatFusion:

Good news for Method-Man

Kobojunkie:

It is a private move, I am guessing all government did was show up and approve the plan. Apart from Yahoo boyz!! Computer sales will definitely go up in the state. That to me will put a lot of money in pockets like mine  .

Uhmm so u sef be computer dealer Kobo?

Yeah it looks like it was all a "Sign Here" agreement and the government did so without hesistation!!

The greatest challenge this move will pose is maintenance and sabotage, but we will see

ibkaye:

ROFLMAO

MrCrackles:

U dey craze
Wetin concern me concern scam?!

MrCrackles:

What is funny?

Dem tell you say i dey live Enugu?

MrCrackles:


Uhmm so u sef be computer dealer Kobo?

Yeah it looks like it was all a "Sign Here" agreement and the government did so without hesistation!!

The greatest challenge this move will pose is maintenance and sabotage, but we will see!

MrCrackles:

Topic

Not sure about this, talking about misplaced priority!

Good news for yahoo yahoo boys sha!

Kobojunkie:

Cheaper Satellite arrives in Nigeria next year so either way!! The good thing is this deal is going to be maintained by a foreign company.

HeatFusion:

Wow Nigeria [i]is [/i]moving forward.

Kobojunkie:

Cheaper Satellite arrives in Nigeria next year so either way!! The good thing is this deal is going to be maintained by a foreign company.

Ah oh well, let us hope they are allowed to do thier job!

Meanwhile Kobo, can i place an order for 200 laptops in anticipation of the roll out

As you know there will be enough scampering and hampering by my Enugu brother/sistas?