South Africa's third-largest mobile operator, Cell C has partnered with Facebook to provide sponsored data for users in South Africa via the social media giant's Internet.org application. The Internet.org application allows users to access for free selected services such as the Facebook messenger and other educational and informational websites in the country. According to the Internet.org, only 10.9% of South African households have access to the Internet at home and the country's Internet penetration growth rate is one of the slowest.
Via the arrangement between Cell C and Facebook, Cell C's customers who use Facebook Messenger to post comments, view and share posts and view their News Feed and profiles are exempted from data charges for an entire year, beginning 1st September this year, when they access these pages from the Internet.org application or website. While other usages, such as viewing and posting pictures, as well as, breakout Internet browsing, VOIP calling, Facebook videos, YouTube and Instagram will be charged at standard data rates or deducted from the user's current bundles.
The other websites where free access is provided include WattPad, Money Matters, Health 24, Bing and Wikipedia. (Full list at the end of the article)
Jose Dos Santos, CEO, Cell C
We were the first and only mobile player in SA to offer zero-rated access to WhatsApp and now we are building on that with this Facebook offering
Markku Makelainen, Director, Global Operator Partnerships, Facebook
With Internet.org free basic services, more people in South Africa will have access to resources and information that can create new opportunities and ideas, and help improve their lives. Cell C understands that some South Africans, specifically those in rural areas, need to travel exceptionally long distances to find work, or information on healthcare or education.
List of Sites
Category | Focus | Provider | Site name | Description |
Communication | Social | Communicate with friends and family | ||
Communication | Messaging | Messenger | Messenger | Send messages to friends and family |
Education | Lifeskills | BeSmart | BeSmart | Fun learning. Life skills |
Education | Youth | LoveWords | LoveWords | Publish your stories and poems! |
Education | Scholarship | Scholars4Dev | Scholars4Dev | Find scholarships abroad |
Education | Literacy | Wattpad | Wattpad | Read books & stories |
Education | Literacy | WorldReader | WorldReader | Read books & stories |
Education | Youth | D-Siders | D-Siders | Daily educational stories |
Finance | Jobs | Careers24 | Careers24 | Search for jobs |
Finance | Financial Literacy | DAI | Your Money | Have money when you need it! |
Finance | Business & Enterpreneruship | SmartBusiness | SmartBusiness | How to launch your own business |
Finance | Financial Management and Banking Resources | Money Matters | Money Matters | How to manage your finances for your future |
Health | Maternal | BabyCenter & MAMA | BabyCenter & MAMA | Learn about pregnancy and children |
Health | Health | Health24 | Health24 | Find general health information |
Health | HIV | HIV360 | HIV360 | Learn about HIV |
Health | Health | UNICEF (Facts for Life) | Facts for Life | Find health and hygiene information |
Information | Search | Bing | Bing | Find information |
Information | Mobile | Cell C | Cell C | Cell C mobile website |
Information | Reference | wikiHow | wikiHow | Learn how to do anything |
Information | Reference | Wikipedia | Wikipedia | Find information |
Marketplace | Classifieds/Jobs | Gumtree | Gumtree | Buy and sell products and services |
Marketplace | Classifieds/Jobs | OLX | OLX | Buy and sell products and services |
News | Global news | BBC News | BBC News | Read news from around the world |
News | Local news | News24 | News24 | South Africa news |
News | Sports | SuperSport | SuperSport | Get sports updates |
Women | Girls + Technology | Intel | Intel She Will Connect | Encouraging women to get online |
Women | Girls | Nike Foundation (Girl Effect) | Girl Effect | Read articles and tips for girls |
Women | Economic Empowerment | UN Women | iLearn | Women's paths to success |
Education | Literacy | FunDza | FunDza | Read books and stories |
Image by User PZFUN on en.wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons