Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and a slew of partners just launched Internet.org to bring digital connectivity to the world.
According to a press release, the founding members of the initiative include Facebook, Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm and Samsung. These technology giants have committed to developing joint projects, sharing knowledge, and mobilizing governments.
Aside from the societal benefits of bringing access, Facebook has plenty to gain from Internet.org. It’s a massive customer acquisition and expansion plan. Currently, one in seven people in the world use the social network. That number would drastically increase if the four billion people who live in poverty or in rural areas were granted Internet access.
via Mark Zuckerberg launches Internet.org to connect ‘the next 5 billion’ | VentureBeat.