GP, Teletalk also to launch free internet

Grameenphone and state-owned Teletalk will follow suit of Robi and launch free internet for their mobile users. The two operators have already contacted with the authority of internet.org through which Robi came up with the service on the first week of May.

GP CEO Rajeev Sethi said they are evaluating the process and are hopeful to launch the service soon.

The telecom regulator has given the operator the go-ahead weeks ago which was needed to offer the service, he said. Robi launched the service allowing its users browse the lighter versions of 23 sites.

The operator said around 1.2 million Robi customers use the service 4.3 million times in the first 10 days and used close to 100 terabits of data a day.

"We have discussed the issue with the Facebook authority last week and are now evaluating the process," said Giasuddin Ahmed, acting managing director of Teletalk. "I think we need to procure separate equipment named TCRF for the service; but the process for this procurement will take time."

At present, Teletalk has 40 lakh active users and more than one third of them are connected with internet.

"This is not an exclusive offer; and any operator can come and avail the service for their subscribers," Markku Makelainento, director for global operator partnerships at internet.org, said at the launch of internet.org in the country.