Internet.org, Facebook’s partnership with six telecom companies, launches an Android and web app that provides free data access to limited use of Facebook, Messenger, Wikipedia and Google Search. Users will also have access to useful health, employment and local information services, a Facebook statement said.
According to the statement, only 30 percent of the world’s total population has access to the Internet. The company said by providing free data access, it hopes to bring more people, who are not too familiar with the web, online and find the Internet valuable.
The app will first be used in Zambia and then eventually introduced to other developing countries.
The app’s introduction brought some criticisms about the actual purpose of bringing more people online, thus leading to the growth of Facebook, was altruism.
Internet.org’s Product Management Director Guy Rosen defended the app and told the TechCrunch, “We’re here to build a program that covers more than Facebook so we can accelerate the pace at which people are connecting to the Internet, which is 9 percent a year. We really want to make that happen faster.”
Through the Internet.org app, Airtel customers in Zambia will have basic access to:
- AccuWeather
- Airtel
- eZeLibrary
- Facts for Life
- Google Search
- Go Zambia Jobs
- Kokoliko
- MAMA (Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action)
- Messenger
- Wikipedia
- WRAPP (Women’s Rights App)
- Zambia uReport
Check out how the Android app will work:
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