Grameenphone, in partnership with Meta, has launched text-only Facebook and Discover to enable Grameenphone customers to stay connected more consistently, even when they run out of data.
Text-only Facebook will help the telecom operator’s customers to stay connected with a text-only version of Facebook and Messenger when they run out of data until they can top up their data balance again.
Discover, a mobile web and Android app, will allow Grameenphone customers to browse the internet using a daily balance of 15MB without data charges. Also, it only supports low-bandwidth features such as text and icons when using free data.
Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar inaugurated text-only Facebook and Discover Tuesday at Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
“Allowing the use of Facebook without the internet is a great initiative. This shall help reduce the digital divide by ensuring information sharing and connectivity of marginalised people,” he said.
“The government has been emphasising bringing maximum people under the umbrella of digital connectivity. But to turn it into a reality, we need the private sectors, especially the mobile network operators to step forward,” BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder said. “It is a good move by Grameenphone to improve access to social media and other important resources on the internet.”
“Today’s launch is a testimony of co-creation with Meta and Regulator to best use digital solutions for ensuring access to vital information in need for one of the largest Facebook user bases in the world,” Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said.
“Helping people stay connected and ensuring they have consistent access to important resources on the internet such as education and health resources is critical. We are grateful to support these programmes to enable better connectivity and access for people in Bangladesh,” Paul Kim, director of International Business Development and Operator Partnerships, APAC at Meta, said.
Source: United News of Bangladesh