Facebook will soon introduce Internet.org, its free Internet service for users in emerging markets, in South Africa in partnership with mobile operator Cell C.
The social network has already launched the offering in a range of other African countries, including Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana.
Cell C says its partnership with Facebook builds on its strategy of embracing so-called over-the-top players. It already provides free access to instant messaging service WhatsApp.
From 1 July, Facebook usage on Cell C’s network will be free to all existing and new post-paid, top-up and prepaid customers. This will continue for a promotional period of two months.
“Customers will be able to use Facebook Messenger, post comments and pictures, view and share posts and pictures, and view news feeds and profiles at no charge,” the operator said.
From 1 September for a period of 12 months, customers who want to continue getting free access to Facebook and Messenger will be able to do so by accessing Facebook through the Internet.org application (available in the Google Play Store).
During the 12-month period, all the sites available through Internet.org on the Cell C network will remain free when accessing links through the application.
Other sites that will be zero rated include:
- Education: BeSmart, LoveWords, FunDza, Scholars4Dev, Wattpad, WorldReader, D-Siders
- Finance and jobs: Careers24, DAI, SmartBusiness, Money Matters
- Health: Health24, BabyCentre and MAMA, HIV360, Unicef Facts for Life
- Information: Bing, Cell C, WikiHow, Wikipedia
- Marketplaces: Gumtree, OLX
- News: BBC News, News24, SuperSport
- Women: Intel She Will Connect, Girl Effect, iLearn
Viewing and posting pictures, as well as, breakout Internet browsing, voice-over-Internet protocol calling, Facebook videos, YouTube and Instagram will be charged at standard data rates or will deplete data bundles where available. Customers will also have the option to buy Cell C data bundles while on Facebook or Internet.org.
The idea for Internet.org was originally unveiled in August 2013 when Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg penned a 10-page white paper outlining his vision from the project.
Internet.org has not been well received everywhere. In India, the project has come in for intense criticism for allegedly violating the principle of network neutrality in that it creates a walled garden of websites and favours Facebook’s own services over its rivals. – © 2015 NewsCentral Media