After Google, Facebook now plans to deploy 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in India in partnership with Bharti Airtel
Everyone wants to chip in and help expand India’s internet population. Last year, Google partnered with Railtel to provide Wi-Fi hotspots across 400 railway stations in India. The company managed to cover more than 100 stations till December 2016 and is working to add more every month. Seeing this as an opportunity, and the fact that its Free Basics programme did not gain steam in the country, Facebook has now partnered with Bharti Airtel to provide 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in India. With this collaboration, Facebook plans to use its Express Wi-Fi services to provide affordable internet access to Indians. Facebook was already testing its Express Wi-Fi services in India since 2015. Other countries where the affordable Wi-Fi services are available include - Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and Indonesia. In a previous post detailing Express Wi-Fi, the company had mentioned, “When people are able to purchase fast, affordable and reliable internet, they’re able to explore the range of...