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Facebook Brings Express Wi-Fi To Ghana, Quietly Expands Free Basics To Morocco and Laos (venturebeat.com)

More than a year after Facebook commercially launched Express Wi-Fi in five markets, it is ready to bring the connectivity service to the sixth: Ghana. From a report: In partnership with telecom operator Vodafone Ghana, Facebook today launched Express Wi-Fi, part of Internet.org initiative, in the suburban communities of the Western African nation. The service, available locally in Nima, James Town, Kanda, Pig Farm, and Abossey Okine in the capital city Accra, will aim to offer "carrier-grade Wi-Fi" to people living in some remote communities that lack fiber optic cables.

Ever since India booted Free Basics in early 2016, Facebook has seemingly grown cautious about its connectivity efforts. The company has stopped updating the social media page and press page of Internet.org. Last year, we learned that Facebook had quietly pulled Internet.org from a handful of emerging markets. In recent months, however, it has quietly expanded Internet.org to two new markets -- Morocco (in North Africa) and Laos (in Southeast Asia).

2 of 39 comments (clear)

  1. Free Basics by mentil · · Score: 1, Troll

    The first hit is free, at least.

    The problem is, Facebook won't stop hitting you, even if you cry or ask nicely.
    Battered wife syndrome is the only reason people still use it.

    --
    Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
    1. Re:Free Basics by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 0, Troll

      Battered wife syndrome is the only reason people still use it.

      You mean "battered husband syndrome".

      70% of domestic violence is perpetrated by women, and men are far more likely to suffer in silence.

      Lesbian couples have twice the level of domestic violence as hetero couples. Male-male couples have half the hetero rate.