UPDATED 08:41 EDT / JANUARY 15 2015

Facebook’s Zuckerberg brings free internet program to Colombia

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has taken another step in his plans to bring internet connectivity to developing nations by introducing a free application to Colombia.

In 2013, Zuckerberg founded Internet.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing affordable internet service to everybody by building infrastructure and improving connectivity. Internet.org is a partnership between Facebook and several large telecomm companies, including Samsung, Ericsson, Qualcomm and others.

Colombia is the first Latin American nation to receive Internet.org’s free application and the fourth overall. The app allows customers of local phone provider Tigo to have free access to several useful internet tools that, according to Zuckerberg, will allow Colombians to “build their own prosperity.” The tools include resources like Wikipedia, UNICEF, AccuWeather and, of course, Facebook and Facebook Messenger.

“Our goal is to make the Internet.org program available across the world and to help everyone get connected to the Internet,” Zuckerberg said during his first visit to Bogotá, Colombia. “We’re going to look back a year from now and there will hopefully be a lot more countries that have programs like this.”

 

From “creating communication” to “creating peace”

 

Internet.org’s programs benefit more than the average Colombian who now has easier and cheaper internet access. Tigo benefits from more customers using its service, and Facebook increases its number of potential users.

But Zuckerberg also hopes that the new Internet.org app will aid Colombians in overcoming conflicts that divide the population, including the country’s ongoing war against Marxist rebels. “Just giving people the tools of connectivity is important by itself in creating communication and a tighter social fabric in creating peace,” Zuckerberg said.

Zuckerberg was hesitant to speak specifically about future plans for Internet.org. When asked about his recent talks in Mexico City with business magnate Carlos Slim, Zuckerberg responded, “I’m not going to say anything specific about any partnership that’s not final, but, I mean, we’re going to want to work with folks across the world on a number of things.” He also dodged questions about China, saying, “Who knows … that’s very different.”

While he made no definite announcements, Zuckerberg expects that the next Internet.org app launch could happen within the next six months.


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