Zuckerberg Introduces Internet.org Partnership, Wants To Connect The World

Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg has introduced Internet.org, a partnership that spans the globe with a goal of connecting the entire world to the Internet. The collective encompasses many big name members, among them being Samsung, Nokia, and Opera, all of whom will work together to connect the two-thirds of the world that don't have access to the Internet.

Presently, a tad over a third of the world's population is connected the Internet, a number that comes in at 2.7 billion. That leaves another two-thirds without connection, with the reasons for this varying based on location and such. The rate of Internet adoption is said to be less than 9-percent per year, a number those behind Internet.org hope to see increase as a result of their efforts.

Said Zuckerberg: "Everything Facebook has done has been about giving all people around the world the power to connect. There are huge barriers in developing countries to connecting and joining the knowledge economy. Internet.org brings together a global partnership that will work to overcome these challenges, including making internet access available to those who cannot currently afford it."

Under the initiative, members will work together to develop technologies – and their adoption – that make it cheaper for individuals to connect to the Internet while reducing the cost of data delivery. Among this effort will be the development of higher-quality smartphones that come with a smaller price tag, and partnerships to expand access in what Facebook calls areas that are lacking.

The technologies being development will also focus on more efficient use of data, decreasing the amount that apps and such use to help keep over all data use – and thusly costs – down. This will include things like cache systems and compression tools. And finally, the members will work towards creating and sustaining business models that facilitate Internet access.

SOURCE: Facebook Newsroom