Internet giants, Facebook in collaboration with Airtel, have launched Internet.org Free Basics, a free internet browsing app in Nigeria.
Free Basics is an initiative by Facebook and several other partner companies to deliver zero-rated internet services to the 4 billion-odd people still offline. Facebook reaches out to local telcos and get them to zero-rate certain sites and services that meet Facebook’s criteria.
“Free Basics offers Nigerians, including 90 million people who are currently offline, the opportunity to access news, health information and services like Jobberman that were built by Nigerians and other developers across West Africa — all without having to pay for data,” Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg said.
Airtel is Facebook’s telecoms partner in Nigeria. As a result, Nigeria will now join the long list of Free Basic-activated countries.
“We’re pleased to take this big step forward in our partnership with Facebook, bringing more people online in Africa’s most populous country and helping to further narrow the digital divide,” said Airtel Africa CEO, Christian de Faria about the partnership.
The app is available to download for free. Interested people can check Android app store or visit FreeBasics.com on your phone with a SIM card from Airtel. Users can also click here to get started.