Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has detailed how the launch of Internet.org in the Philippines brings the world one step closer to becoming truly connected.
Internet.org allows the public to access at least 24 websites for free, including BabyCenter, Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action MAMA Global, The Girl Effect and Facts for Life, as long as they use the Smart, Sun Cellular or Talk N Text services in the archipelago.
Zuckerberg said: "We're one step closer to connecting the world as we launched Internet.org in the Philippines today. Now everyone in the country can have free access to internet services for health, education, jobs and communication on the Smart network."
Facebook set up the service, so both the social network and its Messenger counterpart are included in the initial offerings.
Chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said: "More than one-half of the world is still offline. We want to change that, which is why we're working to connect everyone through Internet.org. We've launched the Internet.org app in six countries, and nearly 7 million people have used it to get online for the first time.
Facebook hopes to launch internet.org in 100 countries. It is already available in India, Ghana, Colombia, Kenya, Tanzania and Indonesia, with rollouts happening quickly across Africa, Latin America and Asia.
Markku Makelainen, director of global operator partnerships at Facebook, added: "We are working with operators, content partners, and governments from all over the world to address the barriers that prevent people from connecting and joining the knowledge economy.
"We are excited to bring the Internet.org app to the Philippines and give people access to internet services and tools that can help create new ideas and opportunities."
