| Mobile phone technologies called GPRS and 3G are | | | | You must have packet data enabled on your mobile |
| bringing the world's poorest population Internet access. | | | | phone network. In Nigeria, MTN, GLO and Zain offer a |
| No where is the impact of these technologies being | | | | mix of GPRS, EDGE, 3G and 3.5G or HSPDA. |
| felt so much as in Nigeria, India and China. The case of | | | | Step 3 |
| Nigeria is indeed remarkable. Just 6 years ago, Nigeria | | | | Your phone must be configured for mobile Internet |
| had less than 400 000 fixed lines for a population of | | | | browsing. This is can be done manually or |
| about 130 million. | | | | automatically depending on your service provider and |
| But with the coming of the major GSM networks, | | | | the model of your cellphone. Usually, you request the |
| MTN, ZAIN, GLO and others, the number of | | | | settings from your mobile access provider and either |
| subscribers exploded to over 50 million. Currently, there | | | | save it automatically or enter it manually. |
| is a surge in demand in mobile internet access which | | | | Step 4 |
| has been made possible by various packet data | | | | Once you are through with Step 3, you can browse |
| access technologies like GPRS, 3G, and HSPDA. | | | | on your cellphone using the default browser it comes |
| The most surprising thing at the moment is that the | | | | with or with a third party browser like Opera Mini, UC |
| cost of access has also gone down dramatically. This | | | | Web or Teashark which you install. |
| means that in countries like Nigeria where about 8 | | | | Step 5 |
| years of democracy has led to the emergence of a | | | | These packet data-enabled mobile phones are |
| new middle class, anybody with a pc or laptop with an | | | | capable of acting as modems for either your PC or |
| appropriate mobile phone can now chat, browse | | | | laptop. You can either connect your cellphone |
| websites, check email, trade stocks, and take online | | | | wirelessly to your PC/laptop using Bluetooth or with |
| classes even in remote rural areas. | | | | USB cable. |
| What are the requirements for accessing the Internet | | | | Either way, some PCS and laptops may already have |
| wirelessly using mobile phones? | | | | the necessary drivers installed. But even if they don't, |
| Step 1 | | | | you simply install the necessary drivers and enter |
| You must have a phone that supports packet data | | | | some settings and you are set to go online. |
| access. Mobile phones makers like Nokia, Sony | | | | The steps above applies to mobile internet access |
| Ericsson and Samsung offer a wide range of | | | | anywhere in the world, not to just subscribers MTN, |
| cellphones varying in sophistication and cost. | | | | GLO or Zain in Nigeria, provided what you are using is |
| Step 2 | | | | a cellphone. |