INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Facebook is today launching a partner program for its Express Wi-Fi initiative, which helps bring higher-speed connections to developing
markets, including India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania
The program itself involves having local business owners install Wi-Fi hotspots, where internet service is provided by local ISPs, mobile
network operators, and others that Facebook has partnered with
Now, Facebook is launching a new partner program that will allow access point manufacturers to build devices compatible with Express
Wi-Fi.
Its debut lineup of partners for &Express Wi-Fi Certified,& as the partner program is called, include Arista,Cambium Networks,
andRuckus Networks, an ARRIS Company.
Facebook first began testing Express Wi-Fi three years ago, and has since expanded it to the five
above countries and 10 partners
The idea behind the project is to create an entrepreneurial grassroots base for the its Wi-Fi service & that is, the operators and ISPs
would be working with local entrepreneurs who want to resell internet access in their own communities
The partners set the prices, but Facebook provides the software.
The company has tried to address the needs of developing markets before,
via its zero-rating program Free Basics
But this program was criticized over net neutrality concerns, as it only provided access to specific websites & like Facebook, of course &
to the developing markets
India eventually banned that program in 2016, as a result.
Express Wi-Fi, on the other hand, offers full, unrestricted access to the web,
not a selection of pre-approved sites and services
It one of Facebook many connectivity initiatives today, along with others like OpenCellular, rural access programs, drones, and other
infrastructure projects.
The new partner program for Express Wi-Fi, announced today, was built to address specific issues Facebook and its
partners faced in the field, the company now explains
It says it has been working with the manufacturers to build new access points that better detect registration pages and more accurately
count the amount of Wi-Fi data consumed.
This will allow the Wi-Fi service providers to sell prepaid access as well as different traffic
classes & like offering some services or content for free, while charging for others
Presumably, this would be another avenue of making Facebook free to developing markets down the road.
Facebook says having hardware
manufacturers on board will help its operator partners more easily set up and manage their Express Wi-Fi hotspots.
Weak and expensive
connectivity is a big barrier to Facebook adoption in developing markets, especially as user growth in developed regions is stalling & or,
In July, Facebook reported no user growth in the United States and Canada, and a loss of European users it attribute to GDPR requirements
Developing regions, however, are still coming online and could bring Facebook a whole host of new users, if people can get connected.
