The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the free wireless service provided by Google Station is safe for public use.
NCC’s executive commissioner, stakeholder management, Sunday Dare, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday.
He said the service complies with the appropriate regulatory requirements.
In his words:
“Contrary to misconception in some quarters, the Commission will ensure that the service provided will continue to be in partnership with NCC licensed service providers within its regulatory oversight.
“NCC has engaged with both Google and the NCC’s licensed Internet Service Providers on whose respective platforms the Google Station Service is being rolled out.
“The NCC is satisfied that objective of the Google Station Service is to provide more Nigerians with access to the internet, and we see that Google is working towards this mission by partnering with local ISPs to bring free and fast Wi-Fi to more people in more places.”
The NCC commissioner further described the service as one that benefits all players in the ecosystem.
“The Google Station service is being delivered under a partnership model that enables local internet service providers (ISPs), system integrators, and venue owners to efficiently offer a public Wi-Fi experience, reducing the cost of deployment, operations and ongoing support.
“This initiative by Google Station and its local ISP partners delivers free Wi-Fi hotspots in public transport and other high traffic areas. This supports governments’ policy goals championed in this regard by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and it will further assist to achieve government’s inclusion objectives. This is why it enjoys the support of the NCC.”