Facebook has launched Express Wi-Fi in India along with partnership with Airtel to launch 20,000 new hotspots. Express Wi-Fi is part of Facebook's global initiative to spread internet connectivity. Testing for Express Wi-Fi in India commenced in 2015 and, working with internet services providers (ISPs) and over 500 local entrepreneur retailers, have made it commercially available through nearly 700 hotspots across the four Indian states of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Meghalaya. Express Wi-Fi is currently live in five countries—India, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Indonesia.
Facebook also announced their partnership with Bharti Airtel to launch additional 20,000 hotspots — allowing Express Wi-Fi to reach more people who require super-fast and affordable connectivity. These hotspots will begin to be deployed over the next few months.
Express Wi-Fi is designed to complement mobile data offerings by providing a low-cost, high bandwidth alternative for getting online and access apps, download and stream content. Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi partnerships allow empowerment local Indian entrepreneurs to start businesses to offer internet access to their town or region. They also help Indians connect to the internet easily and for an affordable rate.
Facebook is looking to increase the number of Express Wi-Fi hotspots in India rapidly. India has a population of about 1.3 billion people, but according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI’s) Performance Indicator Report, only 390 million people are connected to the internet.
Anyone can access the Express Wi-Fi network by signing up with an Express Wi-Fi retailer and purchasing a daily, weekly or monthly data pack at a rate set by their partners. They will then be able to connect to the Express Wi-Fi hotspot, register/create an account, login and start browsing or use any app on the entire internet.
In addition to the social media giant’s partnership with Airtel, Express Wi-Fi has been also deployed in partnership with ISPs AirJaldi in Uttarakhand, LMES in Rajasthan, Tikona in Gujarat, and soon with Shaildhar in Meghalaya.
