ENHANCING NIGERIAN ECONOMY THROUGH WIRELESS INTERNET NETWORK
ABSTRACT
The research provides a conceptual and theoretical study of wireless internet network as a means of enhancing Nigerian economy. It analyzes the nature, types and significance of wireless internet network towards enhancing the Nigerian economy.
INTRODUCTION
The past 15 years have brought an unprecedented increase in access to telephone services. This growth has been driven primarily by wireless technologies and the liberalization of telecommunications markets, which allowed for faster and cheaper rollout of mobile networks.
The total number of mobile phones in the world surpassed the number of fixed-line telephones in 2002; by the end of 2008, there were an estimated four billion mobile phones globally (Wireless Intelligence, 2008)1. The proportion of mobile phone subscriptions in developing countries increased from about 30% of the world total in 2000 to more than 50% in 2004 – and to almost 70% in 2007.
No technology has ever spread faster around the world (The Economist, 2008). The introduction of competition in the mobile telephony market has often led to an immediate growth of mobile penetration (Figure 1). Countries that have taken decisive steps to establish independent regulators and foster competition have seen notable improvements in sector performance. In some cases, the announcement of a plan to issue a new license has been effective in triggering growth, encouraging the existing mobile phone operator to improve service, reduce prices, and increase market penetration before the new entrant started operations.
In recent years, steep price reductions (Figure 2), driven by technological advances, market growth, and increased competition, have contributed to the rapid expansion in mobile phone use inmany countries. Increased use of prepaid services allows mobile customers to make payments in small amounts instead of having to commit to fixed monthly subscriptions. For those who could not afford their own handsets, small loans were made available, mainly to the rural poor, to enable them to buy a mobile handset, an antenna and a large battery.
This gave enterprising individuals an opportunity to rent phones to other villagers and charge for calls (The Economist, 2009). Furthermore, prepaid cards, often available in small denominations, enable even low-income consumers to have access to mobile communications, leading to higher penetration rates in poor and rural areas