Facebook to Debut Internet App in Zambia

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

The social media giant Facebook has unveiled an app to allow people who have mobile phones but no Internet access to get online services for health, education and basic communications.

The Internet.org app was released first in Zambia and is to be rolled out in other countries where Internet access is lacking or unaffordable, the company said.

“Over 85 percent of the world’s population lives in areas with existing cellular coverage, yet only about 30 percent of the total population accesses the Internet,” Facebook’s Guy Rosen said in a blog post. “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.”

The app allows people with Android-powered mobile phones to get free access to services including Wikipedia, Google Search, Facebook, AccuWeather, and sites offering health and wellness information.

The effort already has helped 3 million people access the Internet who had no access before. Only 15 percent of Zambians have Internet access, but the program will help them find jobs, information on reproductive health and other health matters, and stay connected with loved ones.

Zambian users also will have access to services including Go Zambia Jobs, Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action, Women’s Rights App and Zambia uReport. It will be available in partnership with the mobile carrier Airtel.

In 2013, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the creation of Internet.org to help improve online access around the world, with partners including Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm and Samsung. Google has its own initiative aimed at boosting Internet access and is testing the use of balloons in areas without wireless networks.