Lagos — NetnearU, one of the leading wireless Internet Service Providers with the state-of-the-art technology in Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) deployment, has entered into partnership with Intel, the global chip manudacturer to set up Wi-Fi hotspots across the country.

Managing Director of NetnearU, Kaycee Kennedy, disclosed that the company is venturing into the new territory through the deployment of Wimax technology with Intel, to lower the cost of Internet access in the country.

The company has already taken delivery of its first Alvarion Wimax equipment and will deploy such in Lagos within the next 30 days.

Wimax is a newer standard of wireless networking that is designed to provide the last mile of high-speed Internet access to the end-user.

At an elaborate ceremony of the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NETnearU and Intel in Lagos, the Vice President of Intel, John Davies activated newly deployed 300 Wi-Fi hotspots by the company. This brings the total number of hotspots already deployed by NETnearU to 327.

Under the agreement, Intel is expected to provide hardware solutions that address the challenges faced in the deployment of PC's in Nigeria, such as affordability and use in the rural areas.

It would also provide NETnearU advice on Wimax deployment and also explore further opportunities to collaborate with NETnearU on the digital inclusion initiatives such as Computer for All Nigerians Initiative (CANI), Wireless Without Worry (WOW) and rural connectivity.

NETnearU is however, expected to provide broadband Internet connectivity, using appropriate technology including Wimax to homes, schools and offices in Nigeria and also explore other opportunities to collaborate with Intel on other digital inclusion initiatives.

Kennedy explained that the Wi-Fi scheme is expected to provide robust Internet access to Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) at a fraction of what it cost to obtain a less reliable dial-up Internet access from other service providers presently in the country.

"NETnearU with its partners have developed a reasonable price for SOHO otherwise known as Small Medium Enterprises (SMES) in the country. With a fraction of cost of a dial-up Internet access, home users can have Internet access 24/7 unbroken on our hotspots," he assured.

Besides, Kennedy said that most home and offices in the country could not access Internet services because of the prohibitive cost of VSAT services.

"But with our hotspots, Nigerians would no longer have to worry about the monthly recurrence cost of VSAT services. Our hotspot automatically extends the range and reach of Internet access to your neighborhoods.

All you need to do to enjoy the Internet access is to hook to the network."

And for those whose residences and offices may not fall under the NETnearU hotspots, they can access Internet through Glo Mobile GPRS services.

The company has partnered the Nigerian Second National Operator (SNO) so that users can have access to Internet beyond location not covered by NETnearU hotspots.

"We offer Glo Mobile Internet access through its robust and reliable General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) cards to users who expect to use their laptops beyond the locations not covered by the hotspots but where Glo Mobile has services," Kennedy affirmed.

Specifically, he said corporate individuals and organizations who signed on the NETnearU hotspots would get a flexible and cost convenient opportunity to own HP NX6110 Celeron or Centrino Business notebook, equipped with Globacom's GPRS-enabled Internet cards.

"Not only have these, laptop bought under the offer come bundled with two years warranty, Wi-Fi capability and insurance policy that covers theft, loss and fire.

And depending on the payment specification that users opt for, the laptop has two years replacement period,"he further assured.

And to connect to NETnearU hotspots, Kennedy said, "simply open up your WOW Purchase Wi-Fi finance scheme notebook at any NETnearU Wi-Fi hotspot location and you are connected."

Some of the NETnearU hotspot in the country includes NETnearU Café, Chocolat Royale, Barcelos, Dolphin Estate, Astro Turf 2000, Irrua, NTA stations (Benin, Ibadan, Kaduna), all Chicken Republic outlets, Federal Housing Authority Estate, Abuja, Alexandra Café, NIIT Abuja etc.