In scope of Internet.org program initiated by Facebook company, Free Basics which allows people to browse basic services like weather forecast, news and horoscope for free is ready to launch in Mongolia starting today.
APAC at Facebook and Mobicom Corporation are partnered to introduce this service in Mongolia and all you need is mobile phone which is able to connect to the internet (WAP phones can be used too) with a SIM card from Mobicom.
Thus, we deliver you the interview with Ms. Anna Nygren, Head of Growth Partnerships, APAC at Facebook.
Could you introduce yourself please?
- Hello, my name is Anna Nygren and I am working as Head of Growth Partnerships, APAC at Facebook. Our branch in Singapore work with different partners of region to bring Facebook and Internet to more people in Asia Pacific.
So what is the internet.org?
- Facebook launched this program with the aim to connect everyone to the Internet. Currently, 11 years old Facebook has more than one billion users. Now, Facebook is able to connect other people of the world that doesn’t have Internet access through communications companies of local and region. Internet access enables number of opportunities to the public. For example: people are able to find job, get information and connect with their friends and families. That is why we introducing the FreeBasics in Mongolia. FreeBasics delivers basic services that people in Mongolia get access for free. We do this because we think its fundamental for people. We do research on a lot of people are not online and they do not use Internet because it is expensive. However, we find out they do not go online because they do not know why they should use.
Most of people in Mongolia live in the rural areas. Is it possible to all of them to connect to the Internet?
- Yes, as I said before we are partnering with Mobicom Corporation and if they have Mobicom SIM, they will able to use FreeBasics. If you have Android phone, download the FreeBasics application or if you have other types of phone, visit freebasics.com on your phone.
How FreeBasics is going in other countries?
- We launched it in 29 countries including Mongolia so far. We are really excited about the progress that we are making together with partners in the program. We are seeing very positive and strong results. The countries launched Free Basics, they bring more people online faster on to the network. In other words, the number of people using Internet in countries launched this service has increased by 50 percent. These people using free services but they also seen what the Internet can do. Beyond the free services, they are also paying for services.
You are able to read news on GoGo.mn through FreeBasics.
However there are still millions of people using the free service. They use free version of their local content provider and receive neccessary information such as weather forecast and currency rate for free.
People using these services in their everyday life is positively impact on people`s lives while content partners are reaching lot more people. For example, in the Philippines, our partner talks about how people in the rural Philippines started to use Free Basics.
Due to Phillippine consists of islands, it is difficult to go to school for students. However, students are getting an education within certain subjects through FreeBasics.
It is a long journey to connect four billion people to online but we are seeing very positive impact already.
In scope of Internet.org program, drones and satellites to beam Internet around the world has planned to be built. More on that work?
- We do FreeBasics which is a center part of the Internet.org program that we launched it with the operators around the world. According to the research, roughly 85 percent of the world`s population are actually covered by a network coverage whether they are using 2G or 3G. That is why we provide FreeBasics to people covered by network.
However, there are stiil many people who can not go online. For example, it is really difficult and expensive to build high quality networks which enable people to go online in countries which lead its population density like Dhaka, Bangladesh. So Facebook started to do research on other methods and try to find cheaper and more efficient way to connect. In the other hand, as in Mongolia wtih a big land and few people how do you connect them to the internet also requires efficient way. So we are looking into other technologies like using flying unmanned planes and drones. But these are still at their early stages and it will take some time until they will be commercially ready.
You are able to receive daily information like horoscope, currency rate and weather forecast for free via FreeBasics.
South Korea is expected to launch 5G in 2017. Speed for network technology is inscreasing rapidly. Maybe one day we could watch video or see pictures for free. Is it possible?
Today the services that we launch has mostly based on text. There is no advanced services included like video or web calling. Because users must receive services that is valuable for them. On the other hand, it has to be sustainable to the operator and other partners which are providing this service free for people. One example is that when ebola became big challenge in Africa, we launched service included information of what was the disease and how we prevent it etc.. and it was text based and it was high value for people to use.
Is it possible to our local websites or local content providers to make contents to FreeBasics?
- Of course. We developed FreeBasics into a platfrom. Anyone can go to developers.facebook.com/docs/internet-org and send their works to us.
We will choose the valuable and neccessary information that is required for Mongolians and we will submit their contents and able to include it in the platform. Because there are so many useful information for only people in Mongolia which is different than people in Bangladesh or Peru.
We really want to make sure that we can facilitate that local content relavent for people that can be included.
Why do you choose Mongolia to launch this service?
- Today there are many people who can not access to the Internet. It is expensive to go online for people in rural area and the only company which has high opportunity to connect regional users to network was Mobicom.
How do you imagine the future of FreeBasics after five years in Mongolia?
- We conducted research during last few months. Launching this service is considered as the biggest investment for telecommunication operator.
Hopefully, I see all Mongolians will be connected to the Internet after five years.
In scope of Internet.org program initiated by Facebook company, Free Basics which allows people to browse basic services like weather forecast, news and horoscope for free is ready to launch in Mongolia starting today.
APAC at Facebook and Mobicom Corporation are partnered to introduce this service in Mongolia and all you need is mobile phone which is able to connect to the internet (WAP phones can be used too) with a SIM card from Mobicom.
Thus, we deliver you the interview with Ms. Anna Nygren, Head of Growth Partnerships, APAC at Facebook.
Could you introduce yourself please?
- Hello, my name is Anna Nygren and I am working as Head of Growth Partnerships, APAC at Facebook. Our branch in Singapore work with different partners of region to bring Facebook and Internet to more people in Asia Pacific.
So what is the internet.org?
- Facebook launched this program with the aim to connect everyone to the Internet. Currently, 11 years old Facebook has more than one billion users. Now, Facebook is able to connect other people of the world that doesn’t have Internet access through communications companies of local and region. Internet access enables number of opportunities to the public. For example: people are able to find job, get information and connect with their friends and families. That is why we introducing the FreeBasics in Mongolia. FreeBasics delivers basic services that people in Mongolia get access for free. We do this because we think its fundamental for people. We do research on a lot of people are not online and they do not use Internet because it is expensive. However, we find out they do not go online because they do not know why they should use.
Most of people in Mongolia live in the rural areas. Is it possible to all of them to connect to the Internet?
- Yes, as I said before we are partnering with Mobicom Corporation and if they have Mobicom SIM, they will able to use FreeBasics. If you have Android phone, download the FreeBasics application or if you have other types of phone, visit freebasics.com on your phone.
How FreeBasics is going in other countries?
- We launched it in 29 countries including Mongolia so far. We are really excited about the progress that we are making together with partners in the program. We are seeing very positive and strong results. The countries launched Free Basics, they bring more people online faster on to the network. In other words, the number of people using Internet in countries launched this service has increased by 50 percent. These people using free services but they also seen what the Internet can do. Beyond the free services, they are also paying for services.
You are able to read news on GoGo.mn through FreeBasics.
However there are still millions of people using the free service. They use free version of their local content provider and receive neccessary information such as weather forecast and currency rate for free.
People using these services in their everyday life is positively impact on people`s lives while content partners are reaching lot more people. For example, in the Philippines, our partner talks about how people in the rural Philippines started to use Free Basics.
Due to Phillippine consists of islands, it is difficult to go to school for students. However, students are getting an education within certain subjects through FreeBasics.
It is a long journey to connect four billion people to online but we are seeing very positive impact already.
In scope of Internet.org program, drones and satellites to beam Internet around the world has planned to be built. More on that work?
- We do FreeBasics which is a center part of the Internet.org program that we launched it with the operators around the world. According to the research, roughly 85 percent of the world`s population are actually covered by a network coverage whether they are using 2G or 3G. That is why we provide FreeBasics to people covered by network.
However, there are stiil many people who can not go online. For example, it is really difficult and expensive to build high quality networks which enable people to go online in countries which lead its population density like Dhaka, Bangladesh. So Facebook started to do research on other methods and try to find cheaper and more efficient way to connect. In the other hand, as in Mongolia wtih a big land and few people how do you connect them to the internet also requires efficient way. So we are looking into other technologies like using flying unmanned planes and drones. But these are still at their early stages and it will take some time until they will be commercially ready.
You are able to receive daily information like horoscope, currency rate and weather forecast for free via FreeBasics.
South Korea is expected to launch 5G in 2017. Speed for network technology is inscreasing rapidly. Maybe one day we could watch video or see pictures for free. Is it possible?
Today the services that we launch has mostly based on text. There is no advanced services included like video or web calling. Because users must receive services that is valuable for them. On the other hand, it has to be sustainable to the operator and other partners which are providing this service free for people. One example is that when ebola became big challenge in Africa, we launched service included information of what was the disease and how we prevent it etc.. and it was text based and it was high value for people to use.
Is it possible to our local websites or local content providers to make contents to FreeBasics?
- Of course. We developed FreeBasics into a platfrom. Anyone can go to developers.facebook.com/docs/internet-org and send their works to us.
We will choose the valuable and neccessary information that is required for Mongolians and we will submit their contents and able to include it in the platform. Because there are so many useful information for only people in Mongolia which is different than people in Bangladesh or Peru.
We really want to make sure that we can facilitate that local content relavent for people that can be included.
Why do you choose Mongolia to launch this service?
- Today there are many people who can not access to the Internet. It is expensive to go online for people in rural area and the only company which has high opportunity to connect regional users to network was Mobicom.
How do you imagine the future of FreeBasics after five years in Mongolia?
- We conducted research during last few months. Launching this service is considered as the biggest investment for telecommunication operator.
Hopefully, I see all Mongolians will be connected to the Internet after five years.