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Facebook Plans Commercial Launch of Rural WiFi in India (indiatimes.com)

Posted by msmash on from the second-time's-the-charm dept.

An anonymous reader shares a report from India's Economic Times: Social networking giant Facebook is in talks with internet service providers (ISPs) to expand its Express Wi-Fi program into a commercial launch in India, having completed a pilot roll out of 125 rural public Wi-Fi hotspots in a tie-up with state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Express Wi-Fi is a Mark Zuckerberg-headed Internet giant's initiative aimed at taking affordable broadband to the rural areas of the country in partnerships with internet service companies and small entrepreneurs. "Facebook is investing in the development of the connectivity ecosystem by providing techno-commercial assistance to local ISP partners and entrepreneurs," a person aware of the matter said.In a statement to Slashdot, a Facebook spokesperson said; "We are currently in the early stages of testing Express Wi-Fi with multiple local ISP partners in India." The company, however, declined to share any update on Express Wi-Fi's commercial launch in the country. It's worth noting that this is Facebook's second major attempt to capture India's market. The company's Free Basics, an initiative wherein Facebook offers its users access to select websites and services for free, was rejected by the local authority on the grounds of net neutrality. With Express Wi-Fi, the company doesn't seem to be favoring any particular service, and is making access to the entire internet available for cheap price.

19 comments

  1. ive goy a great name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    facepoo

    i know, its awesome

  2. for cheap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and is making access to the entire internet available for cheap price.

    Indeed. A soul ain't really worth much.

  3. Oh thank God by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now tech support and call centers will have wifi

  4. Wonderful India! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They need to figure out PTTP as well (Poo To Toilet Protocol).

    1. Re:Wonderful India! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They need to figure out PTTP as well (Poo To Toilet Protocol).

      And PTTPS for when data needs to be encrapted.

  5. Precious, guardian of the lotion bucket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    (@MORA) THE GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN
    (@MORA) Between 18 and 20 a woman is like Africa. Half discovered, half wild, naturally beautiful with fertile deltas.
    (@MORA) Between 21 and 30 a woman is like America. Well developed and open to trade, especially for someone with cash.
    (@MORA) Between 31 and 35 she is like India. Very hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.
    (@MORA) Between 36 and 40 a woman is like France. Gently ageing but still a warm and desirable place to visit.
    (@MORA) Between 41 and 50 she is like Yugoslavia. Lost the war, haunted by past mistakes and massive reconstruction is now necessary.
    (@MORA) Between 51 and 60, she is like Russia. Very wide and borders are unpatrolled. The frigid climate keeps people away.
    (@MORA) Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Mongolia, with a glorious and all conquering past but alas, no future.
    (@MORA) After 70, she becomes like Afghanistan. Everyone knows where it is, but no one wants to go there.

    (Vanion) where is everybody from in here?
    (NemoMac) Indiana
    (Vanion) am I the only american?
    (NemoMac) Last time I checked, Indiana was in the USA..
    (Vanion) wtf?

    (WerdPerfect) whats up with indian people and java
    (WerdPerfect) its like mexicans and yardwork
    (WerdPerfect) wtf
    (CrotchCapers) hHAHHWFRHAWH)R*@

    1. Re:Precious, guardian of the lotion bucket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN

      Between the ages of 15 - 70 a man is like Zimbabwe - ruled by a dick.

  6. Google beat them to the punch apparently by rsborg · · Score: 2

    I always thought FB would out-disrupt Google, but it looks like FB's naked ploy to balkanize the Indian internet went over like a lead ballon.

    Google FTW: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/...

    Now Zuck has to look like a follower... again.

    --
    Make sure everyone's vote counts: Verified Voting
    1. Re:Google beat them to the punch apparently by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 2

      Whatever. A content provider who also provides access or playback equipment is pure evil. The equation works every time.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    2. Re:Google beat them to the punch apparently by chispito · · Score: 1

      Whatever. A content provider who also provides access or playback equipment is pure evil. The equation works every time.

      I see all this hate for FaceBook and or Google around here. What other ways are people in these parts of the world likely to get online? How are your own efforts working out, for that matter?

      --
      The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
    3. Re:Google beat them to the punch apparently by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What other ways are people in these parts of the world likely to get online?

      Is that the priority in a country where misogyny is culturally ingrained, where the class system excuses all bad behaviour, where embezzling the government is standard practice? These are not endemic problems but they are systemic; the country cannot improve itself because those crimes are tolerated.

      Also, the USA traded monopolies for communications infrastructure; in return they got the most expensive internet in the developed world. Can India follow the same path and not suffer the same fate?

    4. Re:Google beat them to the punch apparently by scatbomb · · Score: 1

      What other ways are people in these parts of the world likely to get online?

      Is that the priority in a country where misogyny is culturally ingrained, where the class system excuses all bad behaviour, where embezzling the government is standard practice?

      Yes, it absolutely should be. The spread of ideas and knowledge from all over the world through the internet is a wonderful thing. Developing it and helping everyone have access to it should be a priority. Are you saying that they should not seek to have internet access until all their other problems are solved? Why not? It's a non-sequitur. Also, where does it say India is trading monopolies for infrastructure? As far as I can tell from TFA and other recent stories, Facebook initially wanted a tiered pricing system, but it was already rejected by India to preserve net neutrality.

  7. How about some education on human decency? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Rural India? Perhaps they should free banners when displaying web pages informing users that rape and murder is not acceptable. It's not the Indian government is doing anything about that.

    1. Re:How about some education on human decency? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also that the punishment for everything shouldn't be more rape, dismemberment and murder.

  8. AOL + PLAN9 OS BLOWS AWAY COMPETITION!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


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    Nothing better in combination than a cold beer, Plan9 OS, and free AOL email!

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    AOL + Plan9 OS: The winning combo no one will see coming. No one will expect. Adapt, evolve, and triumph!

    You will win all mighty battles.

  9. Not Gonna Happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Indian elites won't let (((Zuckerberg))) take the rural poor away from them. After all, why let someone poach your "rightful" prey?

  10. How about by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Rural WiFi in the US?
    Some places have cell coverage below 0.8Mbit/sec yet others have no coverage. Fix home first.

  11. Why India? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Because they can outsource and offshore more jobs there. A rural peon can work for Facebook even cheaper than a city dweller.

    THIS is why Facebook is not putting wifi in the USA - they don't want US workers.