Google, UBA Collaborate to Provide Free Wi-Fi to Customers

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has collaborated with Google and ISP partner to launch Google Station in 11 key UBA branches in Lagos State.

The plan is to roll out 200 stations in the country.

Google Station, a platform for providing free, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, began in Lagos last year, and extended to Abuja in December in partnership with Backbone Connectivity Network.

The google-powered initiative would allow customers access to internet connectivity within the 11 branches and its environs, thereby facilitating their day-to-day businesses and activities, while ensuring unhindered connectivity. The 11 branches where the hotspot would be located are: UBA Bank Road, Bank Road, Daleko; UBA Matori, 21 Fatai Atere street; UBA Surulere, 152 Ogunlana Drive; UBA Allen, 13 Allen Avenue, Ikeja; UBA Tisco Plaza, Alausa; UBA Apapa, 11-13 Warehouse Road, Apapa; UBA Marina, 55 Marina, Lagos Island; UBA HQ, Broad Street, Marina; UBA Lekki Admiralty; UBA Oke Arin and UBA Aspamda Plaza, Trade Fair.

Speaking at the official launch of the initiative which took place in Lagos yesterday, UBA’s Executive Director/ Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chuks Nweke, said the bank was excited about the collaboration.

According to him, the move would go a long way to present opportunities far beyond the imagination of both organisations.

He noted that the challenges of financial inclusion which the USSD platform has not been able to solve would be eased through the Google Station, as the financially excluded would now be able to access the internet and enjoy the services provided free of charge. He explained: “It is an interesting platform which will ultimately benefit everyone. It is a win-win for everyone. Customers will have ease of doing businesses, especially with the growing use of smart phones, and the 52 million Nigerians who have otherwise been financially excluded will now have access to data through this collaboration and can carry out their transactions with ease.

“Interestingly, SMEs, who previously had challenges with funding can now do other things which they couldn’t achieve before, such as accounting services and others. Also, UBA recently launched an educational app, and so, students will be able to use these Google Station platform to carry out their necessary research from the comfort of their homes, it is an awesome opportunity with benefits for everyone which we are presenting to our customers in line with our customer first philosophy.”

Also, the Group Head, Marketing, UBA Plc, Dupe Olusola, said in addition to the 11 locations, the organisations were looking to expand beyond the shores of Nigeria to other African countries where UBA operates.

She added that the initiative would help ease the burden off customers, while also presenting them with opportunities to excel beyond boundaries.