Like a lot of you might have heard that Facebook was planning to launch its own internet service, this news confirms that the strategy of the company is finally live and into play, as they introduce their Express Wi-Fi service which will allow mobile phone users in developing country to buy cheap data. Facebook launched the latest ‘Express Wi-Fi’ app recently which is going to enable users to establish a web connection via Wi-Fi by carrier provided connectivity in an affordable manner rather than buying data at expensive rates from telecom companies. The app is presently available in Kenya and Indonesia only.
The prospects for the app above looks good in India as it's promised to be available across 700 Wi-Fi hotspots in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Meghalaya. Even though the Facebook Express Wi-Fi service has existed for quite some time now but to connect to the service, the user was required to open their web browser or download an app from their respective telco. However, this single app by Facebook eliminates the need to do either of the above things and eases things for the user by enabling them to buy data packs and also by helping them discover Wi-Fi hotspots nearby.
TechCrunch received the update of the app rollout first-hand by a Facebook spokesperson who said: "Facebook is releasing the Express Wi-Fi app in the Google Play store to give people another simple and secure way to access fast, affordable internet through their local Express Wi-Fi hotspots.". The release of a single app instead of the requirement of multiple telco specific app is now expected to speed things up for the Express Wi-Fi program. This app is going to provide a much stable, secure and fast way to connect to the internet, buy data and discover hotspots nearby.
Like we said Express Wi-Fi is an appreciable step by Facebook to connect the deepest part of the developing countries to the internet. Things look to be going smoothly for Facebook, unlike last time when they were slammed by the Trai for launching FreeBasics, which violated the terms of net neutrality. Now it is to be seen how Facebook plans to expand their network in India and in other developing countries.
