Globacom, Nigeria's second national operator, has introduced new flexible high-speed Internet packages on its 3G Plus network.

The company is the first to offer 3G (third-generation) technology in the country, said Bode Opeseitan, head of Globacom public relations, in a press statement.

Four packages offer up to 3G bytes of access, with options priced differently for accessing the Internet on a 24-hour basis, only during the day, only at night or only on the weekends, Opeseitan said.

"The four packages are meant to address different requirements," he explained. "A businessman or corporate executive, for example, might need Internet access only during the day. He might not want to take a 24/7 pack, as he does not need access during the night. He would also want to pay less for day use."

Prices range from 13,500 Nigerian naira (US$115) to 19,500 naira, excluding monthly rental fees. All packages come with one month of free rental, plus an HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) USB (Universal Serial Bus) or PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) compliant modem.

Globacom's 3G Plus network is currently available in Lagos and will soon launch in other cities across Nigeria.