By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has launched the pilot phase of the Public Wi-Fi initiative tagged “Solution Wi-Fi”. This was part of the government’s plans of building a mega smart city in Anambra State.
Driven by the Anambra State ICT Agency in collaboration with Pineheight Systems Limited, the pilot phase initiative, which signposts a resounding fulfillment of promises outlined in the Governor’s manifesto, marks a significant stride towards launching the state into the digital age.
A statement signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr. Fred Agbata, said the agency was dedicated to realizing Governor Soludo’s vision of “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere”, adding that the pilot phase was part of the ongoing technological transformation by the Soludo administration.
He explained that the broader vision included collaboration with development partners to provide broadband access to schools and public libraries, thereby enhancing internet accessibility across all strata of society.
Mr. Agbata added that the “Solution Wi-Fi” initiative; now operational in three strategic locations in the state capital, Awka; namely Aroma Junction, Book Foundation and UNIZIK back gate, would see users within these locations enjoy one hour of free internet access every twenty-four hours during the pilot phase.
He further explained that all the three locations were not only strategic but quite important for students and businesses alike, as it would boost educational activities, while businesses could also leverage it to enhance their online presence.
To access the free “Solution Wi-Fi”, businesses and individuals around the designated locations can, upon activation of their Wi-Fi, and selection of “Solution Wi-Fi”, follow the SMS authentication prompt to create a username, after which they will receive an auto-generated code via SMS, which serves as the password, granting them one hour of fast internet access per day, with an effective range of up to two hundred meters, depending on the user’s device.
Mr. Agbata noted that the groundbreaking initiative, underscored Anambra State’s unwavering commitment to technological excellence, which was recently acknowledged at the National Council on Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy meeting in Kano, where the state received prestigious awards, including Overall Best State in Digital Technology Development, First Position for Best State in Digital Infrastructure Technology Development, and First Runner-up in e-government Implementation and Digital Technology Human Capital Development.
