Ooredoo's Indosat and Facebook Launch Internet.org in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia and DOHA, Qatar, April 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Indosat, member of Ooredoo Group, and Facebook have partnered to launch Internet.org in Indonesia as part of the "Internet Tanpa Pulsa Untuk Semua" initiative for all Indonesians. Facebook's Internet.org makes the internet more accessible for all Indonesians through a set of basic services, including useful health, education, social media for communication, & news.

Internet.org, a Facebook-led initiative, is aimed at making internet access available to the two thirds of the world's population who have never been connected to the internet before. In Indonesia, Indosat is the first operator that provides easy access to the Internet without -"Pulsa" to all Indonesians. Internet without -"Pulsa" offer is also in line with Indosat's Corporate Social Responsibility mission to bring the benefit to internet access to Indonesians.

"Internet.org connects people with a new world of information including for health, education or even simply helping football fans stay up to date with their team's latest results.  It also helps people to communicate with relatives and friends, making it easier to stay in touch.  Indonesia's government has clear targets to bring more of our nation's people online including increasing wireless connectivity across the country while also making this connectivity affordable for the everyday person. With this partnership Indosat has taken the first step to help our industry to drive this forward.  As such, we encourage all Indonesians to take advantage of this fantastic and unique offer available in the market today," remarked Alexander Rusli, President Director and CEO of Indosat.

Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo added, "We are delighted to be the first to work with Facebook to launch this service in Indonesia.  With this partnership, once again Indosat has proved itself as a pioneer for our group.  In all of the markets that we operate in we are passionate about the benefits of connectivity and are always exploring new ways to help bring more people into the digital economy.  This partnership will contribute to bringing more of Indonesia's communities online and help people to achieve their aspirations for a better tomorrow."

"The internet is a powerful tool for social and economic progress," said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "When people have access to basic internet services in areas like jobs, health and education, they can change lives and communities. We're excited to partner with Indosat to bring connectivity to more people in Indonesia through Internet.org."

Indosat provides internet access at no charge through the Internet.org services both for IM3 & Mentari (pre-paid customers) and Matrix (post-paid customers).

Customers will get easy internet access to a set of services such as: getting general information on Ask.com & Wikipedia; getting news updates on Merdeka.com & KapanLagi; staying updated on sports through Bola.net; getting education info on Kelase; able to check the weather and climate through Accuweather; enjoying stories via Wattpad; checking employment opportunities on Jobstreet; selling items on OLX & Tokopedia; learning about women's issues in sites like BabyCenter,MAMA, Girl Effect; and accessing health information on UNICEF's Facts for Life. On top of these sites, customers may enjoy the services of Facebook, which they may use to connect to loved ones and friends. Indosat customers in Indonesia can access these services via www.internet.org or by downloading Internet.org app from the Android playstore. The service will be available in English and Bahasa Indonesia.

ABOUT OOREDOO GROUP

Ooredoo is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people's lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. Ooredoo has a presence in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives, Myanmar and Indonesia. The company was named "Best Mobile Operator of the Year" at the World Communication Awards 2013.           

The company reported revenues of US$9.1 billion in 2014 and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 107 million people as of 31 December 2014. Ooredoo's shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

Twitter: @Ooredoo
Facebook: facebook.com/ooredoogroup
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/ooredoo
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ooredoogroup

ABOUT INDOSAT

Indosat is the leading telecommunication and information operator in Indonesia that provides cellular services, fixed line, data communications and internet (MIDI). As per end of 2014, the company has 63.2 million mobile subscribers through a variety of brands, among others; IM3, Mentari and Matrix. Indosat operates international direct dialing (IDD) through the access codes 001, 008 and Flatcall 01016. The company also offers corporate and SME solutions namely Indosat Business that supported by integrated telecommunications network throughout Indonesia as well as satellite services via satellite Palapa-D. Indosat also has a very broad digital services program including a dedicated digital services unit (www.indosat.com/digital), Indonesia's first innovation competition IWIC (Indosat Wireless Innovation Contest) and Indonesia's leading startup incubator Ideabox (www.ideabox.co.id). Indosat is a subsidiary of the Ooredoo Group. Indosat's shares are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX: ISAT).

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150420/199587

SOURCE Ooredoo

Related Links

http://www.internet.org