There’s a chance that Facebook will provide free internet services to Africa… The social media giant is in talks with a London-based satellite technology firm “Avanti”, on a project that will provide free internet access in Africa. Avanti owns two broadband satellites positioned over the continent and plans to increase coverage by launching a further three in the next few years and this project is part of Mark Zuckerberg’s big plan to put the developing world online.
Internet.org partners will join forces to develop technology that decreases the cost of delivering data to people worldwide, and helps expand Internet access in underserved communities.’
Internet.org also believes if developing economies had the standard of internet access enjoyed in rich countries global productivity would be boosted by 25% and 160 million people would be lifted out of poverty.
The project is said to be announced by the satellite operator soon and by signing a commercial deal with Avanti, it would mean Facebook could cover most part of Africa at a relatively low cost.
In an interview with CNN, Mr Zuckerberg said he wanted ‘to put the whole world online’.
Its mission statement says: ‘No one should have to choose between access to the Internet and food or medicine
Source: IT News Africa
