Leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria and Google today launched a unique Internet service tagged Free Zone powered by Google.

This service allows customers to access mobile web search and other feature-phone-friendly versions of Gmail and Google+ without getting billed. The first page of any website linked from the search results is also provided at no charges.


Free Zone aims to put the web in the hands of more people. First time Internet users who haven't purchased data bundles often find basic services like email, mobile web browsing and social applications to be very expensive. With Free Zone, phone users can take advantage of the web to grow their businesses or keep in touch with friends and family without the fear of unknown data costs and also make more informed choices about their next data device.

To enjoy the array of free Internet mobile services on Free Zone, customers are to text "Free Zone" to 881 or go to http://g.co/freezone from their phone browser.



Juliet Ehimuan, Country Manager, Google Nigeria, said: "We are excited to be working with Airtel to introduce Free Zone powered by Google to Nigeria. We believe in the power of the Internet to create better opportunities, and working with Airtel on this makes it possible for anyone with a phone to get Internet services at little or no cost.

Just like our other access projects, this gives people easier access to information in a way that benefits not just themselves, but their businesses, and by extension Nigeria's economy."

Deepak Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, stated: "Breaking down the barriers to Internet adoption is critical for Nigeria to keep up with the rest of world in terms of social and economic development. It is through key initiatives like these that these barriers can be reduced.



"We are, therefore, really proud to bring this spectacular innovation to Nigerians especially our customers who will now have seamless access to Google Search, Gmail and Google+ by simply using Airtel SIM card on any data enabled handset free of charge. This is indeed another good reason to remain an Airtel customer or to joint Airtel if you are not yet a customer."



Airtel customers who access Free Zone will enjoy unlimited access to Gmail; share photos and messages with circles of family, friends and associates as well as follow updates on the things they are passionate about - from football to photography, music to news and follow people they're interested in via Google+.



Also, customers will be able to search the entire Internet and access the first page of websites from the results for free using Google Search.

When Airtel customers leave the Free Zone to navigate deeper into a website or download an attachment they are informed about the data charges and given the option to purchase an appropriate data package.

The service is available immediately to all new and existing Airtel customers from their mobile phones. Customers without a Google account can sign up for free.


Culled from: Vanguard

For relevant information check www.proudlynigerian.net

We love you too google.

realtem: We love you too google.

Google is determined to get Internet to Africa...

if i hear wait after six month

THAT ONE NO BE ANYTHING NAA....

This google people no see network like mtn or etisalat do their promo na for this crappy airtel network...anyway e be like say na airtel wey partner with them so they fit get customers.

EMMAUGOH: THAT ONE NO BE ANYTHING NAA....

Its sometin...at least one can check email free

Mtoluwase: if i hear wait after six month

Hopefully it will only get better!

luvlyoracle: This google people no see network like mtn or etisalat do their promo na for this crappy airtel network...anyway e be like say na airtel wey partner with them so they fit get customers.

Lol

the browsing is lame.. in its search page it opens some selected pages only

wheesin: the browsing is lame.. in its search page it opens some selected pages only

Its better than nothing naa...at least one is sure of checking email without data

Not working for me o

This will be the platform a lot of tweaks will be based on,just like when mtnonline was free.
It is really a welcome development.

They should have added free PlayStore acess
#rubbish

Brainrex: They should have added free PlayStore acess
#rubbish

lol

Young po413: Not working for me o

Call Customer Care

They should also give Google Internet Service like Blackberry own for more affordable data plan
.
On their FAQ page , they say you may have to change the APN depending on your carrier. We all know Airtel do update their site only once a year, anyone with the Free Zone APN?

not bad.

Booked

TAked

rubbish

All na Wash!

this space is not for sale be careful of seun

see comments

Eleyi naa dara.
Good one 4rm Airtel.

not impressed

Na make boys dey move "jobs' go gmail account be that. MakaMustPay

cool, I like the development at least our boys will utilize it to arrive at total free internet.

(PNN):


Google is determined to get Internet to Africa...

More like google is determined to play God by getting everyone's personal information. There's always a catch!. It's "free internet" in exchange for your personal information which they will use as they please. Very few Africans have access to the internet, therefore there's a large portion of the population who still have most of their personal life offline where it's safe and that's just not acceptable as far as google is concerned; it's an untapped data mine. So they will force everyone to use their services by providing us with the mediocre "free internet". All i'm saying is that we teach our not-so-tech-savvy friends and family members (the most likely users of this new freebie) to be careful what information they share with ALMIGHTY GOOGLE.

MisLeading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria and Google today launched a unique Internet service tagged Free Zone powered by Google.


Dumb Ntwk..

Free internet indeed