Nigerians Firms Fret over Google Fi, Facebook Drones

Information Technology (IT) experts in Nigeria have waxed worriedly over Project Fi and solar-powered drone, so called new services by Google Inc. and Facebook respectively warning that such gigantic projects could be threat to national security and much more long-term threat to the industry.

Google’s Project Fi offering allows users to connect to a WiFi network to make calls and access data while Facebook has deployed drones to provide broadband connectivity in remote areas.

But experts at the 2015 Beacon of Information Communication Technology (BoICT) distinguished lecture at the weekend sued for improved and impartial implementation, and urged the federal government to protect local firms from foreign domination.

Engineer Lanre Ajayi, president, Association Of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said, that “We have to be circumspect about the emergence of these technologies in our terrain.

He said that “Well, there are opportunities that come with it, affordability; certainly, we would want our people have access to the internet. These technologies from Facebook and Google will grant these opportunities. On the other side, do we allow them to come and disrupt existing investments?

“People have worked so hard to put certain investments in place. Do we simply allow them to intimidate local investors? So, there is a balancing to add. It is very topical and disturbing to existing investors and at the same time Nigerians would say ‘yes, we want it, because we want cheap internet’. That is the poser”. Ajayi declared.

For Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, CEO, VDT Communications,  “The really issues are that these global companies are exposed to a lot capitals and infrastructural advancement. Yes, the regulator in Nigeria wants to achieve good internet penetration at affordable rates too, but we cannot overlook the issue of excessive dominance.

“So, Google Fi and Facbook Drones are like such project. Maybe what the country needs now is a bit of protectionism and balance needs to be struck in terms of our rules. The country’s borders cannot just be opened to investments that do not adhere strictly to our rules. The Company needs to be registered. I don’t’ know if Facebook is registered with the NCC; they need to be brought into our justice system”.   

The experts believe that the onus behooves on the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure local investors are not schemed out of the game, while they (the operators) must scale up their operations for even internet availability and affordability in the country.