Facebook, Reliance Communications launch internet.org app in India

NEW DELHI: Facebook Tuesday tied-up with Reliance Communications to launch the internet.org app, an initiative to provide internet access to those who don't have it, along with the free basic services.

This is the first time the Internet.org app will be available in the region.

Internet.org provides access to popular websites and services with zero data charges in order to make it easier for people to access the internet, across both 2G and 3G platform, the two companies said in a joint statement.

“This is a big step forward in our efforts to connect everyone to the internet, and to help people share their ideas and creativity with the entire world. We’ll continue to improve the experience and roll it out to other parts of the world,” Facebook said in its official blog.

RCom customers in six Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Telangana) will now have access to more than three dozen services ranging from news, maternal health, travel, local jobs, sports, communication, and local government information.

RCom customers in India can access these services in the Internet.org Android app, at internet.org, from the start screen of the Opera Mini mobile web browser, and using the Android app UC Browser for Internet.org. Most of the services will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati and Marathi.