DHAKA: Grameenphone (GP) has partnered with Facebook to launch Facebook Free Basics for its users in Bangladesh.
The partnership will enable more people to come online and use basic internet services for free, says a press release on Wednesday (March 30).
Free Basics by Facebook provides people with useful internet services on their mobile phones for free. The websites are available without data charges, and include content on things like news, employment, health, education and local information.
Easynet by Grameenphone, is a pioneering internet service for the Bangladeshi people. It is a one-stop solution for non-internet users to learn about the internet, try free utilities such as Facebook, Wikipedia, etc., and buy internet packs and contents. Since its launch in August 2015, Easynet has attracted around 1.5 million internet users who were previously not using the internet.
As a result of this partnership, GP users will be able to take full advantage of Facebook’s Free Basics service, which will allow them not only to get comfortable to the internet, but will also allow them to establish initial connection with the information superhighway for free.
"Free basics is a global initiative of Facebook with an aim to facilitate internet adoption by providing attractive free basic internet contents to the new users.”
“Grameenphone is delighted to partner with Facebook and provide Free basics to our users as we believe this partnership will help break two key barriers to internet adoption - Pricing and Relevant content.”
“I believe this will help our new data user enjoy relevant content absolutely free and gradually get into digital lifestyle to enjoy the endless power of internet,” said GP chief marketing officer Yasir Azman.
“We are excited to make the internet available to millions of people through the launch of Free Basics with Grameenphone. This is a big step forward in our efforts to connect everyone in Bangladesh to the internet, and to help people discover new services that can create more jobs, opportunities and improve lives,” Anna Nygren, Head of Growth Partnerships, APAC at Facebook.
Easynet has been a big contributor to materializing Grameenphone’s and Telenor's vision of ‘Internet for All’ by bringing in an ever-increasing user base under the umbrella of the internet.
BDST: 1906 HRS, MAR 30, 2016
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