Express Wi-Fi was a division within Facebook Connectivity, which is a group of global internet connectivity initiatives by Meta. It is one of several programs under the Facebook Connectivity umbrella. It partners with mobile network operators and internet service providers to provide internet access via public Wi-Fi hotspots.
In February 2022, Meta announced that Express Wi-Fi will be shut down, globally.[1]
Operating locations and local partnerships
Ghana
Service was offered in partnership with Vodafone Ghana in various regions of Ghana.[2]
India
Service was offered in partnership with internet service providers AirJaldi, LMES, NetVision, Tikona and Shaildhar.[3] in Rajasthan, Uttrakhand, Gujarat, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
Indonesia
Service was offered in partnership with D~Net, an internet service provider, enabling Facebook and D~NET to establish a presence in city of Surabaya and Sugro, a village in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.[4][5]
Kenya
Service was offered in partnership with SURF, and BRCK since 2019, an internet service provider. Express Wi-Fi was launched in Kenya on March 29, 2017, providing 1000 Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the greater Nairobi area.[6]
Nepal
Services were offered in Nepal through partnerships with Worldlink[7][8] and Microsoft Nepal.
Worldlink used the Express Wi-Fi platform to support 7,500 of their 10,000 hotspot locations across the country and plans to expand their coverage to more rural areas using this partnership.[8]
The collaboration with Microsoft Nepal provides service to Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Bharatpur.
Nigeria
Service was offered in partnership with local internet service providers Tizeti.[9][10]
Philippines
Service was offered in partnership with Globe Telecom, a major provider of telecommunications services in the Philippines.
South Africa
Service was offered in partnership with CellC, a telecommunication company in South Africa
Tanzania
Service was offered in partnership with Habari, an internet service provider.
Brazil & LaTAM
Server was offered in partnership with Hughes, a satellite service provider.
Technology partners
In August 2018, Express Wi-Fi by Facebook announced a technology partnership program. The program allows access point manufacturers to produce and supply Wi-Fi hardware that is compatible with Express Wi-Fi. Program participants include Ruckus Networks, an ARRIS Company, Cisco Systems, Inc. (to be certified Oct 2019), Arista Networks, Cambium Networks, Edge-core Networks by Accton Technology Corporation,[11][12][13] In February 2019, Nokia announced that Nokia AirScale Wi-Fi platform would also participate in the technology partner program.[14]
In 2020, the Italian software company Tanaza has joined Facebook Connectivity's Express Wi-Fi Technology Partner Program.[15]
In 2021, Abloomy, a US-based cloud Wi-Fi management software company, has joined Facebook's Express Wi-Fi Technology Partner Program.
References
- Meta is shutting down its Express Wi-Fi service techradar, Feb 1, 2022^
- Facebook brings Express Wi-Fi to Ghana VentureBeat, Feb 1, 2019^
- Express Wi-Fi by Facebook Launched Commercially in India; Airtel to Launch 20,000 Hotspots NDTV Gadgets360.com, May 4, 2017, retrieved Jan 4, 2019^
- Facebook launches Express Wi-Fi app for its local-operated hotspots TechCrunch^
- Express Wi-Fi Facebook, retrieved Feb 28, 2019^
- Facebook launches low-cost internet service, Express Wifi, in Kenya Citizentv.co.ke, retrieved Jan 9, 2018^
- Wi-Fi Express: Free WorldLink Wi-Fi - WorldLink Communications Ltd. worldlink.com.np, 2023-03-31, retrieved 2023-12-15^
- Nepali Times. WorldLink & Facebook Connectivity Express Wi-Fi nepalitimes.com, 2020-10-15, retrieved 2023-12-15^
- Tizeti partners with Facebook to expand Express Wi-Fi in Nigeria retrieved Jan 9, 2018^
- Express Wi-Fi By Facebook Partners With Tizeti to Expand Coverage in Nigeria retrieved Jan 9, 2018^
- Edgecore Networks Joins Facebook Connectivity's Express Wi-Fi Channel Partner Program Bloomberg.com, 16 December 2020^
- Enabling better global connectivity through new partnerships and technologies 25 February 2019^
- Express Wi-Fi Technology Partner program: Getting more people online with fast and affordable Wi-Fi code.fb.com, Aug 28, 2018^
- Nokia joins Facebook's Express Wi-Fi Technology Partner program to build better Wi-Fi networks Globe Newswire, Feb 25, 2019^
- Tanaza joins Facebook Connectivity's Express Wi-Fi Technology Partner Program Total Telecom, Feb 26, 2020^