Facebook has officially announced the commercial launch of Express Wi-Fi in India. The social network was testing this service in the country since August last year. Facebook has launched 700 hotspots across the four Indian states of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Meghalaya.
Facebook has been working with internet services providers (ISPs) and over 500 local entrepreneur retailers for Express WiFi launch. In addition to India, Express WiFi is currently live in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Indonesia. Facebook has also teamed up with Bharti Airtel to launch an additional 20,000 hotspot. These hotspots will begin to be deployed over the next few months. Express Wi-Fi is designed to complement mobile data offerings by providing a low-cost, high bandwidth alternative for getting online and access apps, download and stream content.
Ajai Puri, Chief Operating Officer (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel said,
We are delighted to be a part of this initiative to provide affordable access to high speed data to users across India, particularly in the underserved segment. We believe this will help in empowering millions of Indians by bringing them online and contribute to the Government’s Digital India vision.
Facebook says Express Wi-Fi partnerships are aimed to help Indians connect to the internet easily and for an affordable rate.net. In order to access the Express Wi-Fi, people will have to sign up with an Express Wi-Fi retailer and buy a daily, weekly or monthly data pack at a rate set by our partners. After signing up you can connect to the Express Wi-Fi hotspot, register/create an account, login and start browsing or use any app on the entire internet.
In addition to our newly announced partnership with Airtel, Express Wi-Fi has been deployed in partnership with ISPs AirJaldi in Uttarakhand, LMES in Rajasthan, Tikona in Gujarat, and soon with Shaildhar in Meghalaya.