Wikipedia can be read for free by 350 million mobile phone subscribers in the developing world, its engineering chief has said — a result of partnerships with mobile phone operators which began in Malaysia in 2012.
Wikipedia Zero was inspired by Facebook Zero, an ambition by the social network to colonise new, mobile-centric audiences around the world. For Erik Moller, deputy director of the Wikimedia Foundation, the project answers two key priorities, building new international audiences and focusing on mobile devices.
“By working with mobile operators, we can enable anyone to read and edit for free,” explained Moller, who is also vice president of engineering and product development. “We estimate that 350 million subscribers worldwide are eligible to use Wikipedia Zero.”
Wikipedia Zero allows mobile subscribers to access Wikipedia for free, with no data charges, the programme now stretches to Thailand, Saudia Arabia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Jordan and Bangladesh, and this year also added Kosovo, Nepal and Kyrgyzstan. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2014
