Internet.org — the Zuckerberg-backed initiative to make the internet available the world over — has announced that its new app will provide free data access for services like Google, Wikipedia, Facebook and more.
Initially available in Zambia, with plans to extend its reach over time, the following sites won’t accrue any data charges when accessed via Internet.org:
- AccuWeather
- Airtel
- eZeLibrary
- Facts for Life
- Google Search
- Go Zambia Jobs
- Kokoliko
- MAMA (Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action)
- Messenger
- Wikipedia
- WRAPP (Women’s Rights App)
- Zambia uReport
The data service is powered by Airtel in Zambia, and Internet.org is no doubt pursuing other partners for the rest of the continent and byond. An Internet.org app will be aviable for Android phones so that people can make use of the service, while feature phone users will simply have to navigate to Internet.org, from where they will be able to access sites for free. It’s an amazing first try at truly democratising internet access. [Internet.org]