Facebook's Internet.org App Goes Live in Zambia, Offers Free Data

Facebook have today launched the app for the internet.org, a initiative to connect people all around the world with internet. The app provides the people to access some of the basic and local informative service without any internet and data charges. The app is officially launched in Zambia with Airtel carrier but more countries are sure to be added to the list in the coming months.

Users can browse internet for free via the app, and that also without any data charges. Through the Internet.org app, users will have basic access to AccuWeather, Airtel, eZeLibrary (legal portal), Facebook, Facts for Life, Google Search, Go Zambia Jobs, Kokoliko (job portal), MAMA (Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action), Facebook Messenger, Wikipedia, WRAPP (Women’s Rights App), and Zambia uReport.

Guy Rosen, product management director with Internet.org says-

“Over 85% of the world’s population lives in areas with existing cellular coverage, yet only about 30% of the total population accesses the internet. Affordability and awareness are significant barriers to internet adoption for many and today we are introducing the Internet.org app to make the internet accessible to more people by providing a set of free basic services,”

“With this app, people can browse a set of useful health, employment and local information services without data charges. By providing free basic services via the app, we hope to bring more people online and help them discover valuable services they might not have otherwise,” Rosen writes.

Facebook had launched the internet.org project last year, with an aim to connect all the people around the world via internet. 

On this event Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says that about two-third of the world population can't access internet. 

“There are huge barriers in developing countries to connecting and joining the knowledge economy. Internet.org brings together a global partnership that will work to overcome these challenges, including making internet access available to those who cannot currently afford it,” - mark added.