Colombia teams with Facebook to offer free online access to some sites

Global Business

Over the past four years, Colombia actively promoted Internet connectivity for the country’s 48 million citizens, and the world has taken notice. Social media giant Facebook has chosen Colombia as its first Latin American partner for its Internet.org initiative that will boost Internet access for the poor. CCTV America’s Michelle Begue reported from Bogota, Colombia.

Colombia teams with Facebook to offer free online access to some site

Over the past four years, Colombia actively promoted Internet connectivity for the country's 48 million citizens, and the world has taken notice. Social media giant Facebook has chosen Colombia as its first Latin American partner for its Internet.org initiative that will boost Internet access for the poor. CCTV America's Michelle Begue reported from Bogota, Colombia.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Wednesday to mark the start of the agreement. Internet.org hopes to boost Internet access to 60 percent of low-income families worldwide.

“We want to break the barriers of getting internet connectivity. Colombia has achieved 98 percent. That’s the reason why we wanted to partner,” Zuckerberg said.

Colombia has put efforts to boost connectivity in the country through its Vive Digital plan. Since 2010, the number of broadband connections has grown from 2.2 million to 9.7 million.

“Our obsession is to see how we can use technology to advance our goals of social equality,” Colombian President Santos said.

Colombia will be the second country in the world to formally work with Internet.org. The company said it has already brought three million people online across 14 countries through partnerships with mobile service providers.

Under the agreement, Colombia and Internet.org along with mobile operator Tigo, will work together to provide free access to 15 different websites on mobile devices, including Accuweather, Wikipedia, UNICEF, and three government sites.