Since the launch of Internet.org two years ago, and Facebook’s début in Africa five months ago, the world’s biggest social network has been on a partnership spree within and outside the continent, pushing its primary goal to bring internet access to everyone in the world, and to help grow African businesses by improving their connectivity.
Facebook and Cellcom Telecommunication has announced a huge partnership deal to give Cellcom customers in Liberia free internet access to Facebook and other sites via Free Basics at the dial of *777#.
According to Avishai Marziano, CEO of Cellcom GSM, the partnership is Cellcom’s way of addressing the significant gaps that exist in connecting people, and doing research. At zero balance Liberians can access Facebook Messenger, Wikipedia, BBC Africa, Super Sport, and other sites.
The Facebook-Cellcom deal is the second in less than a week for the social media network, making Liberia the 18th African country, and 78th worldwide, in its quest to get the internet around the world.
A few days ago, Facebook partnered with leading global telecommunication company, Airtel Rwanda, to increase Internet access for Rwandans free of charge. This deal comes on the heels of its recent launch in the Kinyarwanda language.
The service will enable Airtel subscribers with smartphones to have access to an online portal via Free Basics to selected websites at no cost. Customers will also be able to access free services in categories of health, communication, education, jobs, sports, and local information.
“We are delighted to kick off this partnership with Facebook and have it go live at a time where we as a telecom are looking to enable our customers to access the internet affordably,” said Mr. Tano Oware, finance director and acting managing director of Airtel Rwanda.
Free websites to be accessed on Free Basics with Airtel include Facebook, Wikipedia, BBC Africa, SuperSport, Inyarwanda.com, Dictionary.com, Bing search engine, and others.
