Facebook’s internet.org, the app which delivers free net access for mobile phone subscribers, is due to launch in Kenya this week. The announcement was made by product head Chris Daniels, speaking at AfricaCom in Cape Town this morning.
While Daniels didn’t go into details as to exact times and operators involved, it’s understood that Facebook has been trialling the app with Airtel since early August.
internet.org is currently available in Zambia and Tanzania and offers users uncapped access to services such as Wikipedia, health information for pre- and antenatal care, ebola awareness information and – of course – Facebook for social networking.
According to Daniels, Facebook’s core mission is now “to make the world more open and more connected”, and it will not consider that mission complete until everyone in the world is connected. As part of that vision, he also confirmed that Facebook’s work on solar-powered gliders which it wants to use to extend wireless internet access to rural areas is also still underway.
//Updated – the official release has just landed confirming that internet.org will be available on Airtel, and will carry the following services in Kenya.
- AccuWeather
- BBC News
- BBC Swahili
- BabyCenter & MAMA
- BrighterMonday
- Daily Nation
- Facts for Life
- Girl Effect
- Jamii Forums
- Messenger
- OLX
- Scholars4Dev
- SuperSport
- Totohealth
- UNICEF Ebola Information
- Wattpad
- Wikipedia
[Main Image – Internet.org]
