Cybersecurity experts have warned that free wifi connections are prone to attacks due to its’ vulnerabilities, but Swift Networks has proven that Red Cheetah, a new free wifi, is secured, following its launch in Lagos.
The free wifi broadband service is accessible when a potential user downloads the Red Cheetah App from Google Play Store before connecting to the hotspots signals at different locations in Lagos. Users are allowed to register multiple android devices as every device must be independently registered to access the internet via Red Cheetah.
Interestingly, with Red Cheetah, users’ browsing history, privacy, and online activities will be encrypted, this is against the backdrop that free wifi is vulnerable to threats and cyberattack. The Red Cheetah App establishes a distinct and secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to the Internet for each device on the platform.
The objective of Swift Networks is to deepen broadband penetration and internet accessibility at no cost to Nigerians. It follows in Swift ’s tradition of demystifying and making technology to work for Nigerians so that they can hook up to the digital world to explore, work and entertain more efficiently.
Other factors might be in play, but broadband penetration for some time has been stalling in Nigeria due to the inability of some Nigerians to afford he available Internet services. At the moment, Red Cheetah is only available in Lagos, but there are plans to extend this service to other areas of Nigeria.
“We need to fine-tune the services in Lagos before extending other other parts of Nigeria, ” says Charles Anudu, the Entrepreneur behind Swift Networks.
This service, Red Cheetah, a new brand under the stable of Swift Networks was supported by advertising revenues from leading global brands and partners,
He said Swift Network is excited to pioneer this cutting edge service model and will rapidly extend it to more cities in Nigeria and the continent.”
Although, iOS users are exempted from using this free wifi until the App is made available for download in the next 90 days. Users would be expected to view adverts at intervals from the sponsors and partners who make the free service possible
Red Cheetah went live in Lagos earlier this month with about 500 hotspot units but the firm is targeting 10,000 in the next six months.
Anudu explained that the plan is to roll out an initial 10,000 Red Cheetah hotspots in Lagos, which is the largest Wifi footprint of its kind anywhere in Africa. “It will cover many verticals including schools, hospitals, airports, buses, taxis, shopping malls, bars in any place where Nigerians need to research, catch up on work and play.
This revolutionary service powered by Swift is fast, secure and reliable, as well as supported by legendary sponsor brands with a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility to Nigeria.”
Users may be concerned about the kind of advertisement that will pop up while using the free wifi, but Victoria Onwubiko, General Manager, Swift Networks explained that all adverts would be approved by APCON before it goes live.
“I am a certified member of APCON, I know and understand the rules guiding ever advertisement,” she said.
