Facebook announced a partnership with Reliance Communications today to offer free data access to over three dozen websites through internet.org.
People on the Reliance network in the states of Tamil Nadu, Mahararashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala and Telangana can access these websites in the Internet.org Android app, Opera Mini mobile web browser, and UC Browser for Internet.org. Most of the services will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati and Marathi, a blog announcing the launch reported.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also talked about this achievement. "To continue connecting the world, we have to connect India", said Zuckerberg on his Facebook page.
The announcement will be seen as a big win for both RCom and Facebook, as it could draw a huge number of users to their network, and help Facebook increase its user base in India. India is one of the most important growth markets for Facebook, with 112 million monthly active subscribers, and an annual revenue of Rs295 every year. The service comes to India after having launched in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania and Colombia. According to the latest report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Reliance Communications had 106.2 million subscribers in December 2014.
The full list of services on Internet.org includes:
Aaj Tak: Read news in Hindi
AccuWeather: Get updated weather information
amarujala.com: Read news in Hindi
AP Speaks: Engage with local government
Babajob: Search for jobs
BabyCenter & MAMA: Learn about pregnancy and childcare
BBC News: Read news from around the world
Bing Search: Find information
Cleartrip: Check train and flight schedules & buy tickets
Daily Bhaskar: Read local news
Dictionary.com: Search for meanings of words
ESPN Cricinfo: Get cricket updates
Facebook: Communicate with friends and family
Facts for Life: Find health and hygiene information
Girl Effect: Read articles and tips for girls
HungamaPlay: Listen to music
IBNLive: Read news
iLearn: Learn from Women Entrepreneurs
India Today: Read local news
Internet Basics: Learn about the basics of the Internet
Jagran: Read local news
Jagran Josh: Get education and career information
Maalai Malar: Read news in Tamil
Maharashtra Times: Read news in Marathi
Malaria No More: Learn about malaria
manoramanews.com: Read local news
Messenger: Send messages to friends and family
NDTV: Read news
Newshunt: Read news in English
OLX: Buy and sell products and services
Reliance Astrology: Read your horoscope
Reuters Market Lite: Get farming and crop information
Socialblood: Register to donate blood
Times of India: Read news
TimesJobs: Search for jobs
Translator: Translate words and phrases
Wikipedia: Find information
wikiHow: Find information