Facebook, the social network giant has launched another product Express Wi-Fi under its Internet.org program. This new service offers internet facility to users through public hotspots in rural parts of the Country. Last year, Facebook introduced free basics which permit the users to access some limited websites for free, but this express Wi-Fi is a paid service and there are no restrictions on websites to be accessed.
For this Express Wi-Fi, Facebook partnered with Bharti Airtel to deploy 20,000 hotspots which enable people to get internet access using wireless local area network (WLAN.)
Munish Seth, Head of Connectivity Solutions, Facebook Asia-Pacific said, “The population of India is about 1.3 billion, in which only 390 million are connected to the internet. This Express Wi-Fi is a global initiative by Facebook (to) expand the internet services to underserved locations, for this Facebook is working with ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and over 500 local retailers.”
Internet users are significantly increasing in India because of affordable smartphones and data plans, especially after Reliance launched Jio services. Google partnered with RailTel and introduced free WiFi services at various railway stations.
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Mr.Seth also added, “Facebook will provide the platform and solutions, we won’t charge anything additional from the ISPs or the retailer, prices are decided by the operators and they will handle the total internet traffic through their system.”
The trial Express Wi-Fi was already launched across four Indian states Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Meghalaya with 700 hotspots in 2015.
