Telenor, in collaboration with Facebook today launched internet.org initiative in Pakistan, with which all Telenor customers — both prepaid and postpaid — will be able to use selected internet websites for free.
Telenor launched the program with 17 websites today, which are available for free unlimited browsing. However, external links, if any, will be charged as per usual tariffs.
Ifran Wahab Khan (left), Deputy CEO, Telenor Pakistan, Ime Archibong (right), Global Head for Strategic Partnerships at Facebook, speaking with media at the launch of internet.org in Pakistan
Launch event or internet.org was attended by high-ups of Telenor Pakistan, including Michael Foley, CEO, Telenor, Irfan Wahab, Deputy CEO, Telenor Pakistan and Aslam Hayat Khan, VP, Telenor Pakistan.
Facebook officials, lead by Ime Archibong, Global Head for Strategic Partnerships at Facebook, in first of its kind representation from Facebook in Pakistan, were also present at the event.
Telenor has said that its internet.org initiative is aimed for first time internet users. Company has said that its currently not looking at any business proposition, instead the whole initiative is targeted to convert more users to internet.
Here is the list of websites that can be browsed for free:
- Telenor Mobile Portal
- AccuWeather
- Babycenter & MAMA
- BBC News
- Bing
- ESPN Cricinfo
- Facts for Life
- Girl Effect
- IlmkiDunya
- Malaria No More
- Mustakbil
- OLX
- Telenor News
- UrduPoint Cooking
- Wikipedia
- BBC Urdu
How to Access These Websites
Telenor users, in whatever city they are or whatever package they are on (postpaid included) can go to internet.org from their cell phones to access these websites. While accessing internet.org website, users will be presented a list of websites they can access for free.
Alternatively, if you are smartphone user, you can download internet.org app from your respective app store an use it.
Any usage with-in internet.org website (or the app) will be free.
Both 3G and 2G users can access internet.org for free, and there is no need to subscribe or activate anything. You can start browsing internet.org for free, right away!
Below is how it will look like when Telenor users will visit internet.org from their mobile browsers:
Telenor has said that more publishers will be included in the list of available websites and local content providers can work in-line with Facebook guidelines to apply for their inclusion in internet.org.
More commentary, on this whole initiative, its impact on internet usage in Pakistan, and possible outcomes for internet users and publishers will be discussed in separate stories. Stay tuned.
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Hello Friends, I am Talit Mahmood a 18 year Teenage Web Designer from Lahore, Pakistan. I’m a Web Designer, Web Developer, Blogger | Blogging expert | SEO expert and Software/Computer Engineer.
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