Facebook has launched a new partner program for its Express Wi-Fi initiative to offer fast and affordable internet access in developing markets.
The company has announced the establishment of the Express Wi-Fi Certified partner ecosystem program, as well as the first three vendors to join the ecosystem.
Wi-Fi vendors Cambium Networks and Ruckus Wireless as well as switching company Arista Networks have become the first Certified partners for the initiative.
Access points developed by certified vendors will be designed to help devices better detect registration pages in order to help more devices connect to the networks and allow for data usage to be more accurately measured, in order to make it simpler to offer pre-paid Wi-Fi.
Express Wi-Fi aims to help local mobile operators, ISPs and enterprises to offer fast, affordable internet access to customers lacking such access.
Express Wi-Fi is currently available in India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania, through ten partners across the five countries.
Consumers typically access the hotspots by purchasing prepaid data packs through participating retailers.
“We’re excited to launch the Express Wi-Fi Certified program and have Cambium Networks as one of our early partners,” Facebook product lead for Express Wi-Fi Guy Mordecai said in a statement.
“Through our work with leading Wi-Fi vendors, we hope to expand the Express Wi-Fi ecosystem and accelerate innovation to provide a sustainable business model for fast and affordable Wi-Fi at a meaningful scale.”