Facebook has partnered with Bharti Airtel to launch Express Wi-Fi service to offer users in rural areas in India internet access through public hotspots.
Facebook has already partnered with a number of ISP in India to offer internet through 700 hotspots on a pilot basis across four states: Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Meghalaya.
With the partnership with Airtel, it now plans to deploy additional 20,000 hotspots across the country for the service.
Express Wi-Fi is a programme where Facebook helps entrepreneurs to set up public Wi-Fi hotspots to provide Internet connectivity to people in poor or zero connectivity areas. To access the service, customers can sign up with the local Express Wi-Fi retailer and purchase a daily, weekly or monthly data pack.
Ajai Puri, Chief Operating officer (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel
We are delighted to be a part of this initiative to provide affordable access to high speed data to users across India, particularly in the underserved segment. We believe this will help in empowering millions of Indians by bringing them online and contribute to the Government’s Digital India vision.
