Facebook rolls out Express Wi-Fi in India, partners Airtel

May 5, 2017

New Delhi, May 5: Facebook is tying up with entrepreneurs to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in public places across the country, in an attempt to end India"s poor connectivity problem.

markCalled Express Wi-Fi, the programme will see Facebook helping entrepreneurs set up public Wi-Fi hotspots to provide Internet connectivity to people in poor or zero connectivity areas.

“We are working with ISPs and operator partners to test Express Wi-Fi with public Wi-Fi deployments in multiple pilot sites,” said Munish Seth, head of connectivity solutions for Asia Pacific at Facebook, adding that now customers will be able to purchase fast, reliable and affordable data packs in four states—Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Meghalaya—across 700 hotspots and 500 retailers.

Express Wi-Fi will be rolled out in partnership with ISPs AirJaldi in Uttarakhand, LMES in Rajasthan, Tikona in Gujarat, and Shaildhar in Meghalaya.

Seth said that Facebook was working with Airtel to install 20,000 more hotspots across the country.

Express Wi-Fi is already live in Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria.

Explaining how Express Wi-Fi works, Seth said that Facebook will provide the software stack to the entrepreneurs, data analytics and in some cases funds to help start operations. The entrepreneur can choose any Internet service provider (ISP) to provide the Wi-Fi connectivity to the hotspot.

“We will recommend ISPs based on our tests and usually the speed of the Wi-Fi has to be somewhat around 10mbps,” Seth said, adding, that if someone wants to use the Wi-Fi, they will have to buy a data card and use it on their devices.

“Anyone can access the Express Wi-Fi network by signing up with an Express Wi-Fi retailer and purchasing a daily, weekly or monthly data pack at a rate set by our partners. They will then be able to connect to the Express Wi-Fi hotspot, register/create an account, log in and start browsing or use any app,” Seth explained.

He said that “this will kill the need for owning 4G devices and that will be immensely helpful for India where 4G is catching up fast but has a long way to go before it becomes mainstream.”

However, Seth didn"t clarify how Facebook would generate revenue but said that the company was providing the software stack and analytics free of cost to entrepreneurs.

“It is similar to the cybercafe model that thrived around a decade back,” said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst at Greyhound Research.

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Agencies
May 15,2020

Kolkata, May 15: Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy, who was conferred the Sahitya Akademi award for his novel 'Teesta Parer Brittanto', died at a private hospital in Kolkata on Thursday, his family members said.

Roy was 84 and he is survived by his son. His wife had died earlier.

He was admitted to the hospital near his residence at Baguihati, in the eastern fringes of the city, on Wednesday after having symptoms like sodium potasium imbalance, sugar problem and breathing problem, his family members said.

He suffered a massive cardiac arrest and died at 10.50 PM.

A regular contributor to a number of Bengali dailies, he was a staunch critic of the attacks on liberals by in the country in recent times and attended protest meetings despite his failing health.

He was born in Pabna in present-day Bangladesh on December 17, 1936. He had five decades of career as a writer.

Besides Teesta Parer Britanta', he will be remembered for books like Borisaler Jogen Mondal , Manush Khun Kore Keno and Samay Asamayer Brittanto . His first book was Jajati.

His last rites will be performed tomorrow.

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Agencies
March 3,2020

Facebook on Monday launched a new consumer marketing campaign in India titled 'More Together'. India is the first country in the Asia Pacific region where such a campaign is being rolled out.

It is also the first time that Facebook is rolling out a 'high decibel campaign of this stature in India', the company said in a statement.

It is also the first time that Facebook is rolling out a 'high decibel campaign of this stature in India', the company said in a statement.

"India is at the heart of Facebook and one of our focus areas this year is to tell the exciting story of a service that is deeply embedded in the fabric of India," said Ajit Mohan, Vice President and Managing Director, Facebook India.

The campaign would have multiple campaigns over the next few weeks in eight languages and the one will be set in the context of Holi.

Facebook in 2019 introduced a new company logo to further distinguish the company from the Facebook app.

The company recently announced the appointment of Avinash Pant as the Marketing Director for India operations, to drive the consumer marketing efforts across the family of apps.

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Agencies
July 11,2020

Citing the current dismal aviation scenario, Air India is terminating the services of trainee cabin crew and cabin crew by withdrawing the offer of employment of those who were under training.

As per sources, the new crew and trainee pilots might reduce contracts from five years to one year. Sources said Air India is terminating 1,200 crew and employees who are more than 55-yr-old including 190 trainee pilots.

In a letter reviewed by IANS, Air India has informed an applicant who had been selected as cabin crew in August 2019 subject to successful completion of training.

"On behalf of Air India we would like to thank you for the interest shown by you in joining our organization. However, in view of the current aviation scenario, it would not be possible for Air India to impart any further training to you for engaging your services," the company said.

"In view of the above reasons, which are beyond the control of the company, it has been decided to discontinue your training arrangements and dispense with the offer of engagement with immediate effect. The bank guarantee furnished by you at the time of joining is returned herewith," Air India told the cabin crew.

"Once again on behalf of Air India we thank you for your cooperation and trust that you will appreciate the circumstances under which we are constrained to discontinue the training arrangements," the carrier said.

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