This post will be chock full of questions. These are the questions that I don’t have answers to…yet. Now Wi-Fi has definitely earned its position as the world’s most successful wireless technology thanks to its extensive acceptance across many devices and its role as the main carrier of data on smartphones.
Now to the questions.
How can a cost-effective technology such as Wi-Fi be used in Africa to help bridge the digital divide?
Wi-Fi does not have a spectrum requirement from the regulators so it faster and cheaper to deploy than many other wireless technologies. But while Wi-Fi continues to grow, its connectivity is far from universal in Africa or even Nigeria [feel free to argue in the comments], resulting in it being classified as a complementary technology to GSM connectivity.
But does Wi-Fi not present a substantial opportunity to aid in socio-economic development?
The statistics showing the advantages of Wi-Fi are many. Wi-Fi networks in place suddenly presents people with options they would not normally have had due to the high cost and limitations of other broadband solutions.
How can Wi-Fi be implemented for the average African to draw the most benefit from it?
Photocredit: Viral Novelty
