Just come across something that I didn't realise was in existence. Seems Facebook beat us to it?
Visit:
www.internet.org
Introducing, Free Basics by Facebook.
To share the internet’s knowledge and inspiration with the world, Free Basics by Facebook is overcoming issues of accessibility, affordability and relevance—in hopes that one day, everyone will be connected.
Free Basics by Facebook provides people with access to basic websites for free – like news, job postings, health and education information, and communication tools like Facebook.
The internet is essential to growing the knowledge we have and sharing it with each other. And for many of us, it’s a huge part of our everyday lives. But most of the world does not have access to the internet. Internet.org is a Facebook-led initiative with the goal of bringing internet access and the benefits of connectivity to the two-thirds of the world that doesn‘t have them.
Imagine the difference an accurate weather report could make for a farmer planting crops, or the power of an encyclopedia for a child without textbooks. Now, imagine what they could contribute when the world can hear their voices. The more we connect, the better it gets.
The Connectivity Lab at Facebook is developing ways to make affordable internet access possible in communities around the world. The team is exploring a variety of technologies, including high-altitude long-endurance planes, satellites and lasers.
Free Basics is currently available in 37 countries with the following mobile operators:
Africa
- Angola (Movicel)
- Benin (MTN)
- Cape Verde (Unitel)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (Airtel, Tigo)
- **on (Airtel)
- Ghana (Airtel)
- Guinea (Cellcom)
- Guinea-Bissau (MTN)
- Kenya (Airtel)
- Liberia (Cellcom)
- Malawi (Airtel & TNM)
- Mauritania (Mauritel)
- Mozambique (Mcel)
- Niger (Airtel)
- Rwanda (Airtel)
- Senegal (Tigo)
- Seychelles (Airtel)
- South Africa (Cell C)
- Tanzania (Tigo)
- Zambia (Airtel)
Asia Pacific
- Bangladesh (Grameenphone & Robi)
- Cambodia (Smart Axiata)
- Indonesia (Indosat)
- Iraq (Korek)
- Maldives (Ooredoo)
- Mongolia (G-Mobile, Mobicom & Skytel)
- Pakistan (Telenor & Zong)
- Philippines (Globe & Smart)
- Thailand (DTAC & TrueMove)
- Timor-Leste (Telkomcel)
- Vanuatu (Telecom)
Latin America
- Bolivia (Viva)
- Colombia (Tigo)
- Guatemala (Tigo)
- Mexico (Virgin)
- Panama (Digicel)
- Peru (Entel)
Free Basics will continue to expand globally.
