Internet.org, a Facebook initiative to connect the 'unconnected' and to accelerate internet adoption in rural areas, this week celebrated the first anniversary of its app, which was first debuted in Zambia a year ago. Over the last 12 months, Internet.org has worked closely with more than a dozen mobile operators across 17 countries to give people access to relevant basic internet services without data charges.
Going into its second year, Internet.org is now opening up its platform to all mobile operators and apps developers through a partner portal that includes technical tools and best practices, improving the process to offer free basic services to the unconnected.
Internet.org claims that the sign-up of new users onto mobile networks has become over 50% faster after the launch of the basic services, and more than half of the people who come online through Internet.org are paying for data and accessing the internet within the first 30 days.
