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Facebook expands low-cost Internet 

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Surf chief executive officer Mark Summer. The US tech giant has partnered with the local Internet provider to provide low-cost data bundles. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

US tech giant Facebook will today roll out its low cost Internet service dubbed Express Wi-Fi  to several more towns neighbouring Nairobi.

Facebook says it is aiming to provide internet to areas that are underserved. The service is being implemented in partnership with Internet Solution of Kenya and Surf Kenya.

READ: Facebook takes on telcos with low-cost Internet in Nairobi

Express Wi-FI, which went live a month ago on a pilot programme, is now available in hotspots located in Thika, Ong’ata Rongai, Mlolongo, Limuru, Kitengela and Kiambu. To access the Internet, a person will need to be within a range of about 250 metres.

“Facebook is working to bring internet access to the 60 per cent of the world who are not yet connected. One of the ways we’ll do this is with Express Wi-Fi, which involves working with partners like Surf to help them build affordable, high speed Wi-Fi services in places where other options are not available,” said Uche Ofodile, regional head of partnerships for Express Wifi in Africa, Facebook.

The service has a 10-day offer where users access 100MBs free daily package.

Daily Internet bundles cost Sh10 for 40 megabyte (mb) and Sh20 for 100mb while weekly Express Wifi bundles cost Sh50 for 300mbs and Sh100 for 500mb. Monthly bundles cost Sh200 for 1.25 gigabyte (gb) and Sh500 for 3gb. However, Surf Kenya CEO Mark Summer said in an interview the prices could change after official launch.