Facebook started its Express Wi-Fi internet services in India, which are already available at 700 hotspots across Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Meghalaya.
Express Wi-Fi has been deployed in partnership with ISPs AirJaldi in Uttarakhand, LMES in Rajasthan, Tikona in Gujarat, and soon with Shaildhar in Meghalaya.
Facebook has partnered with 500 local entrepreneurs who will sell these services through vouchers that are priced ranging ₹10-20 for a day or ₹200-300 for a month.
The Express Wi-Fi offers internet at upwards of 10Mbps speeds without any per day limit or restrictions on accessing any part of the internet. Express Wi-Fi will not even require a user to have or set up a Facebook account.
The Express Wi-Fi initiative is also live in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Indonesia.
Facebook also announced its partnership with Bharti Airtel to launch an additional 20,000 hotspots, which will be deployed over the next few months.
While Airtel has its own network offering 3G and 4G services, Express Wi-Fi enables Airtel to offer internet connectivity to consumers who cannot afford 3G or 4G handsets and are looking for more affordable data plans than currently offered by various telcos.