Dialog and Google launch Free Zone
Dialog with Google Inc. recently launched Free Zone powered by
Google, which will provide Sri Lankan mobile users access to Google
search, Gmail, and social networking through Google+, with zero data
charges. Dialog mobile users can also visit the billions of web sites
connected through Google search without paying any data charges.
 Free Zone is optimised for feature phones, enabling any mobile user
possessing a data-capable handset to web search, email and browse social
media at no cost.
"Providing 7.5 million mobile customers with a platform to discover
the power of the internet at no incremental cost and thereby
accelerating internet literacy has been a fundamental tenet of our
vision for the mobile internet," said Group Chief Executive, Dialog
Axiata PLC, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya.
"Today, our partnership with Google and the launch of Free Zone
powered by Google has made this vision a reality, and we now empower Sri
Lankan citizens with an affordable route to discover the power of the
internet in terms of information search, email and collaboration through
social media," he said. Free Zone can be accessed at zero data charges
and empowers first time internet users with several fundamental features
of the internet. Any user can create a Gmail account instantly on the
Free Zone homepage and enjoy connectivity and social media services from
Google's portfolio.
"As first time internet users may be cautious with respect to data
access charges, the open web is only as open as it is affordable. We've
been working with Dialog to offer internet services at no cost to anyone
with a mobile phone," said Managing Director, Google Southeast Asia,
Julian Persaud.
"This gives people easier access to information, whether it's an
individual or a small business that wants to reach more people on the
web. We hope this convinces more Sri Lankans of the value of the mobile
Web. Students can look up facts to help with their homework. At home,
you can quickly check a recipe. You could even look up lyrics to the
song you want to sing along to," he said.
Free Zone aims at making the web accessible and affordable to all
mobile users. Powerful internet services available with zero data
charges through Dialog mobile phones include Google Search, which will
take Free Zone users to websites matching their search query, which
enables users to share photos and messages with social groupings of
family, friends and business or work associates.
While Dialog Mobile users will not require a Data Package nor incur
any data charges to access internet services on Free Zone powered by
Google, access to more advanced services such as Attachment Download or
browse through to web sites from the ones accessed in the free zone
would also be enabled through subscription to a standard data package.
|
