Telecom service provider Airtel has partnered with Facebook to offer the Internet.org app to its customers in Ghana
Internet.org is a Facebook-led initiative with the goal of making affordable Internet access available to the two-thirds of the world that is not yet connected.
According to Airtel, the app provides a set of locally relevant basic Internet services for existing and new customers free of charge in order to make it easier for people to access the Internet.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, said, “Right now only about 12 per cent of people in Ghana are connected to the Internet but connectivity is already improving people's lives and communities. By connecting everyone, we hope to unlock even more opportunities for Ghana.
“Ghana is the fifth country we've connected through Internet.org — after Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Colombia.”
Lucy Quist, MD of Airtel Ghana, added that they have invested heavily in upgrading and expanding their network over the last few years to provide access to information in all areas including remote and rural populations in Ghana.
“Our partnership with Facebook, which is bringing their internet.org mobile app to Ghana, opens up more opportunities for the millions of people to stay connected and grow their potential from the wealth of information available on the Internet,” noted Quist.
Chris Daniels, vice-president of Internet.org at Facebook, said that an access to free basic services in categories such as education, health and communication in the country is expected to give everyone the tool to live better lives and stay more connected and informed.
