Improved Internet access can be a force for peace, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday during a trip to Colombia to promote his project to boost web availability for two-thirds of the world not yet connected.
The project "Internet.org" launched with other big tech companies including Samsung and Nokia. It aims to improve web access and reduce mobile phone costs in developing countries.
After meeting with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Zuckerberg signed an agreement with the government to offer the Internet.org app for free to subscribers of the Tigo mobile phone service.
The app gives users free access to basic online services including weather, Wikipedia, and Facebook, as well as, in Colombia, to government services, according to statements from communications minister Diego Molano and Internet.org.
He predicted some eight million Colombians could benefit from the Internet.org program.
The main costs for Internet use are the data plan and the phone or computer purchase.
Zuckerberg said after delivering basic services to more developing nations, the project would look to drive phone costs down to allow more people to afford mobile devices.
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