Bharti Airtel has announced a partnership with Facebook to offer the Internet.org app to its prepaid and post-paid customers in Kenya beginning later this week. Facebook’s Internet.org app provides a set of locally relevant basic internet services free of charge in order to make it easier for people to access the internet.
“This partnership responds to the needs of our youthful customers who are in constant need to access the internet and keep in touch with events and activities at all times,” said Airtel Kenya CEO Mr. Adil El Youssefi at the launch of the app.
“With the latest 3G network technology in Kenya, Airtel has been at the forefront of the data revolution in Kenya. Through Facebook’s Internet.org app, Airtel customers using mobile internet capable devices will now be able to access a set of free services in categories such as health, education, sports, jobs, and local information. This demonstrates Africa’s increasing relevance and contribution to the global innovation map,” Adil added.
Facebook run trials of the Internet.org app in Zambia in partnership with Airtel which allowed subscribers to access local and international mobile content for free.
“Facebook is excited to continue its partnership with Airtel to bring the Internet.org app to its customers in Kenya. We can make a big impact by making the internet accessible through this set of free basic services, which we hope will ultimately lead to more people coming online,” said Chris Daniels, Vice President of Product for Internet.org at Facebook.
As part of Facebook’s Internet.org app in Kenya, Airtel customers will have free access to: AccuWeather; BBC News; BBC Swahili; BabyCenter & MAMA; BrighterMonday; Daily Nation; Ebola Information; Facebook; Facts for Life; Girl Effect; Jamii Forums; Messenger; OLX; Scholars4Dev; SuperSport; Toto Health; Wattpad; Wikipedia.
The offer will give Airtel customers the freedom to access these basic services by visiting www.internet.org or downloading the Internet.org app in the Google Play Store. Normal data charges will only apply when a user browses outside the set of free basic services.
