Internet.org is an initiative spearheaded by Facebook and other industry leaders such as Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm and Samsung aimed at increasing the global use of internet. The initiative was launched last year on the premise that although 85% of the world's population lives in areas with cellular coverage, only about two thirds of people have access to internet.
As part of its effort to realize the goals of Internet.org, Facebook recently announced the launch of its Internet.org app that can be downloaded on Android smartphones and be used to access a number of websites without incurring any data charges. The apps is targeted for users in less developed areas, to enable them to reach out to basic services on the internet and to create the awareness on the uses and benefits of the being 'connected' online. According to Facebook, the Internet.org app, which will be available first to Airtel subscribers in Zambia, enables users to browse a set of useful health, employment and local information services from a number of selected sites which include AccuWeather, Airtel eZeLibrary, Facebook, Facts for Life, Google Search, Go Zambia Jobs, Kokoliko, MAMA (Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action), Messenger, Wikipedia, WRAPP (Women’s Rights App) and Zambia uReport. The app will be made available in other markets in due course.
