Getting the next billion online with freenet and internet.org

To talk about internet and its importance in today’s time is like talking about how aviation or automobile industry has changed our lives over the years. Similarly, the internet has changed many a lives and will continue do so forever. But not everyone is as blessed and privileged like us, there is still a huge population of people who are not even aware of the term called Internet.

A shocking 2/3 of the World is still not connected to the Internet. So what can we do as responsible citizens to make sure that the power of internet reaches everyone out their? To be frank as individuals we can’t do much, but we can always support something called the FreeNet and internet.org and fuel the movement.

As a matter of fact, making the internet available to every person on earth is a goal too large and too important for any one company, group or government to solve alone. Everyone participating in Internet.org has come together to meet this challenge because they believe in the power of a connected world.

But to support something we need to know about it thoroughly. So let’s know about FreeNet and internet.org –

Internet.org is a Facebook-led initiative bringing together technology leaders, nonprofits and local communities to connect the two thirds of the world that doesn’t have internet access.

Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication. It uses a decentralized distributed data store to keep and deliver information, and has a suite of free software for publishing and communicating on the Web without fear of censorship. Both Freenet and some of its associated tools were originally designed by Ian Clarke, who defined Freenet’s goal as providing freedom of speech on the Internet with strong anonymity protection.

So what do you think is the reason as to why the so many people aren’t online yet?

• Are the devices that can connect them to internet are too expensive?
• The internet plans are too expensive for them?
• There is no mobile networks in their areas?
• The content being offered isn’t available in their local language?
• People still don’t know what value the internet will bring to them and therefore never bothered about it
• There is no power sources, or even if there is, it’s limited or costly
• Existing networks can’t support large amounts of data

In spite of these issues, together we can remove these barriers and give the unconnected majority of the world the power to connect. And with each volunteer there are these relentless supporters:

1. Ericsson – a world-leading provider of communications technology and services.
2. MediaTek Inc. – a leading semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions.
3. Opera – makes products that enable more than 350 million internet consumers to discover and connect with the content and services.
4. Samsung – a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere through relentless innovation and discovery.
5. Facebook – whose mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.
6. Nokia – a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world.
7. Qualcomm – a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies.

As of now, internet.org (the app) is currently available to Airtel customers in Ghana, Kenya and Zambia, Tigo customers in Colombia and Tanzania, and Reliance customers in India.

A month ago, on the 10th of February – Facebook and Reliance Communications made the internet available to millions of people in India through the launch of the Internet.org app and free basic services that includes:

Aaj Tak – Read news in Hindi
AccuWeather – Get updated weather information
amarujala.com – Read news in Hindi
AP Speaks – Engage with local government
Babajob – Search for jobs
BabyCenter & MAMA – Learn about pregnancy and children
BBC News – Read news from around the world
Bing Search – Find information
Cleartrip – Check train and flight schedules & buy tickets
Daily Bhaskar – Read local news
Dictionary.com – Search for meanings of words
ESPN Cricinfo – Get cricket updates
Facebook – Communicate with friends and family
Facts for Life – Find health and hygiene information
Girl Effect – Read articles and tips for girls
HungamaPlay – Listen to music
IBNLive – Read news
iLearn – Learn from Women Entrepreneurs
India Today – Read local news
Internet Basics – Learn about the basics of the Internet
Jagran – Read local news
Jagran Josh – Get education and career information
Maalai Malar – Read news in Tamil
Maharashtra Times – Read news in Marathi
Malaria No More – Learn about malaria
manoramanews.com – Read local news
Messenger – Send messages to friends and family
NDTV – Read news
Newshunt – Read news in English
OLX – Buy and sell products and services
Reliance Astrology – Read your horoscope
Reuters Market Lite – Get farming and crop information
Socialblood – Register to donate blood
Times of India – Read news
TimesJobs – Search for jobs
Translator – Translate words and phrases
Wikipedia – Find information
wikiHow – Find information

We are certain that with time many more giants will come forward to power the ‘Internet for all’ revolution and roll it out to other parts of the world.