Photograph — Flickr

Virgin Media announced its plans to expand it’s free WiFi options for members of the public in Chesham, UK by introducing its Smart Pavement project. In September, the company began offering free WiFi in public places and streets around the UK. This is the first public Wi-Fi offering to literally be placed under people’s feet for improved connection.

The network delivers a speed of up to 166Mbps, seven times the average broadband speed in the UK. According to Virgin Media, it is possible to download an episode of a show with a file size of 634Mb in less than 35 seconds. The project is designed to provide a better ‘out-of-home’ connectivity for the residents of Chesham.

Chesham was selected as the location to pilot the initiative because of its demographic representation of the entire UK populace as well as for its size. The idea is to advance the community by keeping them connected, and enabling them to save on their mobile money bills. Chesham’s population of 21,000 residents and businesses are currently enjoying this free service.

Although Virgin Media is presently the only company to expand in such a manner, other companies such as BT FON, O2, and Sky Broadband also provide services to the public in different regions with free WiFi. Currently, transport companies such as JetBlue (US), Regent (US), and Kolkata Metro (India) are set to provide free WiFi to their customers in the air, on seas and rail respectively.

Considering the fact a good majority of business are currently based online, most developed countries readily make provisions for people resident or doing business in the commercial hubs to have access to the internet. It is credited as a crucial means through which economies can witness significant boost . This explains the keenness of people – and companies – on free WiFi.

However in developing countries, the notion is still yet to gain popularity as people remain subject to costly data bundles, that they most often cannot rely on. In Nigeria, for example, the city of Lagos cannot boast of such services despite its commercial status and position. Private companies and individuals have tried to introduce the initiative, with the support of the government, but none have quite taken off.

In April, Mrs Nike Animashaun, the Permanent Secretary of the Information Communication Technology ministry stated that the Lagos state government was working to make WiFi available to residents. A move to promote interest in science and technology, improve the quality of living, develop the state industrially, and strengthen the government’s capabilities. She however did not state whether it would be free or not.

Despite the potential dangers associated with public or free WiFi connections to include hacking and fraudulent activities, the benefits cannot be overemphasised, particularly in regards to the growth and development of different businesses and, subsequently, economies.

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