How to partner with Google Station to drive internet penetration in Nigeria

At the latest Google for Nigeria event, the tech giant announced the launch of Google Station – a program for high-quality Wi-Fi hotspots.

The Google station program will scale faster with the help of local partners.

Screen showing launch of Google station on a smartphone

Partnering with Google Station

The two major classes of partners are the Service providers and the Venue providers.

Service providers / Technical Partners

Service providers are the ICT companies providing the physical infrastructure for the project.
Google provides the software, tools, guidance needed to roll out WiFi in those public places.
Service providers get to monetise their public networks as well as learn more about their customers.

Learn more about it here.

Venue providers

A Google station venue is the physical space that will act as a WiFi zone.
Venue providers will enjoy the visibility that comes with the marketing of Google Station. Also, they will be able to expand their customer offerings to include “free WiFi” services.
Google Station is at its best when there are a lot of people making use of the service. As a result, Google targets areas with high footfall traffic like open markets, airports, malls and public universities. So, I imagine a prospective venue provider would have to prove that they have (or can amass) that traffic.

In the words of Caesar Sengupta, Vice President, Next Billion Users Team:

“…Today we’re announcing Google Station, which gives partners an easy set of tools to roll-out Wi-Fi hotspots in public places. Google Station will provide software and guidance on hardware to turn fiber connections into fast, reliable and safe Wi-Fi zones. Users will get a fast Wi-Fi experience with a simple and unified login, while making it much easier for venues to manage their networks.

We’re just getting started and are looking for a few strategic, forward-thinking partners to work with on this effort. So if you are interested in learning more about how to work with us to bring high quality WiFi to your venues, please reach out on station.google.com“

Currently, 21st Century Technologies, a leading internet service provider is the only partner. While venues include Ikeja City Mall, Computer village, UNILAG, and Lagos’s local airport. To reach their goal of being in 200 locations by the end of 2019 they definitely need more partners on board.

“We’ll be working with network operators, fibre providers, system integrators, and other partners” reads their site.

To partner with Google Station all you have to do is fill this form.