Ooredoo’s Indosat and Facebook launch Internet.org in Indonesia

• Indosat first operator in Indonesia to join Internet.org
• In line with Govt efforts to bring more Indonesians online

INDOSAT and Facebook have partnered to launch Internet.org in Indonesia as part of Indosat’s ‘Internet Tanpa Pulsa Untuk Semua’ (Free Internet for All Without ‘Pulsa’) initiative. [Pulsa is a system of prepaid credit for handphones in Indonesia.]
 
Facebook’s Internet.org aims to make the Internet more accessible through a set of basic services, including health, education, social media for communications, and news.
 
Indosat, a member of the Doha-headquartered Ooredoo Group, is the first operator in Indonesia to join Internet.org, Ooredoo said in a statement.
 
“Internet.org connects people with a new world of information including health and education, or even simply helping football fans stay up to date with their team’s latest results,” said Indosat president and chief executive officer Alexander Rusli.
 
“Indonesia’s Government has clear targets to bring more of our nation’s people online, including increasing wireless connectivity across the country, while also making this connectivity affordable for the everyday person.
 
“With this partnership, Indosat has taken the first step to help our industry to drive this forward,” he added.
 
Indosat will provide Internet access at no charge through Internet.org services, both for IM3 and Mentari (prepaid customers) and Matrix (postpaid customers).
 
Next to Facebook itself, customers will get access to services such as general information on Ask.com and Wikipedia; news updates on Merdeka.com and KapanLagi; sports updates through Bola.net; education information on Kelase; weather information through Accuweather; stories via Wattpad; employment opportunities on Jobstreet; selling items on OLX and Tokopedia; women’s issues via BabyCenter, MAMA and Girl Effect; and health information from Unicef’s Facts for Life.
 
“We are delighted to be the first to work with Facebook to launch this service in Indonesia,” said Ooredoo group chief executive officer Dr Nasser Marafih.
 
“In all of the markets that we operate in, we are passionate about the benefits of connectivity and are always exploring new ways to help bring more people into the digital economy.
 
“This partnership will contribute to bringing more of Indonesia’s communities online and help people to achieve their aspirations for a better tomorrow,” he added.
 
Indosat customers in Indonesia can access the services above via www.internet.org or by downloading Internet.org app from the Android playstore. The service will be available in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
 
“The Internet is a powerful tool for social and economic progress,” Facebook founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg.
 
“When people have access to basic Internet services in areas like jobs, health and education, they can change lives and communities.
 
“We’re excited to partner with Indosat to bring connectivity to more people in Indonesia through Internet.org,” he added.
 
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