Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, the 4G/LTE broadband provider, renowned for superfast and reliable Internet service, has scored another first in the industry activating free WiFi in over 200 Metrotaxis in Lagos. 

The feat is consequent upon the consummation of the partnership between Smile Communications and popular auto service firm Metro-taxi

At the official announcement of the partnership, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, ‎chief marketing officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, described the feat as a ‘partnership’ designed to redefine life style among Metro-taxi passengers.

She said that the partnership was in line with Smile’s philosophy as the broadband provider of choice in Nigeria and will enable the teeming customers of Metrotaxi to fully benefit from the Internet world.

“Smile Communications Nigeria Limited”, she reiterated,” is uniquely famous for its transformative objective of using the best and most innovative technologies to provide its customers with high quality, easy to use and affordable communication services”.

Ladipo affirmed that “a lot of people think about The Internet from utility point of view. We are reinforcing the view that people should remain connected to the internet while on the go. The internet is about a more productive lifestyle. In spite of the strata of the society you belong, you should live a connected life. That is what Smile is advocating”.

According to her, “people are connected in different ways. Initially, in Nigeria, it was about making voice calls on your phone, but now people are connected via internet data making calls through Whatsapp, BBM etc. So, the partnership will intertwine the way we live our daily lives; riding in cars, cabs, buses, everyday. Before you know it, buses will have data and every street would become ‘smart’ ones, always connected. This is just a first step to what will happen in future”.

On why the telecom company chose MetroTaxi among competition, the Smile CMO said “Apart from Smile Communications being the ultimate 4G/LTE Company in Nigeria, we are creatively adding value to our customers’ lifestyle. The purpose of partnering with MetroTaxi is to improve on the conducive environment Metro taxi provides. Metro taxi maintains a standard and that is why we have partnered with them. They have maintained the integrity they promised from onset, which is in line with our principle”.

The benefits of the partnership, surmised Ladipo, are all encompassing for “It is also good for the drivers as well, because they have an opportunity to use the Google Map to locate their routes instead of stopping and asking people. At the same time, that passenger, whether or not he is a Smile Communications customer, has received additional value”.

Mrs. Priscilla Ibe, chief executive officer of Metrotaxi, said the company is thrilled by Smile’s magnanimity, adding that such partnership will even lift the company’s business profile.

She described Smile as a forward looking company that is true to the transformative objective that informed its establishment.

On its part Metro Taxi Limited, a subsidiary of The Philly & Mools Group, has set out to be an innovative customer oriented company, with the sole aim of providing unparalleled transportation service for both individual and corporate bodies.

Ibe said, “We are happy about this partnership. One of the basic needs of a Lagosian is to have a reliable, safe and comfortable ride. We thought of putting WiFi in the cabs so that while on the go the passenger can be connected-browsing, chatting, receiving and replying to business emails, among other bundles of opportunities this partnership will offer our passengers. We hope this is just the beginning with our 250 taxies already connected.

On fears that the free WiFi might lead to fare increase, Ibe allayed such fears. “Our fares remain the same. We are not considering increase or an upward review of the fares. Our collective desire is to offer our riders comfort and connectivity.

“This is going to improve our service because locating routes will become easier for the drivers. I look forward to getting passengers’ feedback. They will really enjoy it. Everybody wants access to the internet for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, sharing, uploading and downloading.

“Our cars are Bluetooth enabled. So, when the drivers are on the road, they connect the Bluetooth and give commands to the car with the DVD panel that shows the maps. We have already trained them on the safety side too. We also have a back-office system to help us monitor, through GPS, what the drivers are doing. In addition, we have fleet officers on the road monitoring the drivers and that also curtails misbehaviours.

Also speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tobe Okigbo, chief corporate services officer for Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, said the gesture was in furtherance of the company’s resolve to enable the Internet of Things (IoT) capable of increasing individuals, corporations and the nation’s economic base.

Okigbo said, “The truth is this: the way the world is going now like the phenomenal Digital Dividend, it is about how the internet, incrementally, helps you to achieve more. Can you imagine how much manpower that is lost in traffic gridlocks in Lagos? People should work even while they are in traffic. They should continue to be productive. In number terms, assuming people spend three hours/day in traffic. Let’s quantify it at $300/hour in lost productivity. If they are able to remain productive, the $300 adds to their income.

“So, it has multiplier effect. Think about it, if they don’t lose it, then, they earn more money. If they earn more, government earns more tax (revenue) and provides more services. All this because they have been empowered via Smile Communications free WiFi in MetroTaxi. The impact of the internet on our way of life has become ubiquitous. When you are talking about Internet of Things (IoT), for instance, MetroTaxis will in future talk to each other. There are instances where equipment, without human intervention, based on algorithms, talk to each other and things get done in more efficient ways”.

He highlighted that the partnership will even lead to a whole lot of innovations in future.