Ncell partners with Meta to provide free internet and Facebook access

Kathmandu — Ncell customers can now use the internet and Facebook without a data pack or balance. This has been made possible through a partnership between Ncell and Facebook’s parent company, Meta. This initiative aims to keep Ncell customers connected even without any balance.

Despite having excellent broadband coverage, many consumers in Nepal still use the internet sparingly or not at all due to cost. To address this issue, Ncell and Meta have launched two new products: Facebook Basic Mode and Discover, which will be available starting Tuesday. These services especially benefit customers with 2G mobile sets, providing an enhanced internet experience.

Discover: This Android app allows Ncell customers to browse the internet with text-only access, conserving data by excluding videos, audio, and other high-data content. For easy access to reliable health and safety information, the app has bookmarked the websites of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the World Health Organization.

Facebook Basic Mode: This mode enables Ncell customers to access Facebook with text and photos even with no data pack or balance. Users can update their status, post, view, and upload photos. Upon purchasing data, customers automatically switch back to the full Facebook mode, which includes charges. Both products will follow Ncell’s fair usage policy.

“This initiative will contribute to increasing internet usage in Nepal, and as part of our ‘Sadhain ON’ campaign, we believe it will ensure the availability of some basic services on customers’ mobiles,” said Umair Mohsin, Ncell’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Such collaborations will take significant steps towards achieving the goal of a digitally inclusive Nepal.”

These new offerings from Ncell and Meta aim to bridge the digital divide and provide more people with access to essential online services, promoting greater connectivity and digital inclusion across Nepal.