WIKIPEDIA ZERO: a SMART access to Knowledge for FREE

Another hit for the Wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) as it announce a new partnership today with the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia and its sister projects. With the initiative to give 70 million Filipinos free access to knowledge, Smart and Wikimedia Foundation launch WIKIPEDIA ZERO in Philippines.

Photo shows Jim Ayson, senior manager for Digital Services Innovation at Smart, formalizing the ‘Wikipedia Zero’ partnership with Carolynne Schloeder, head of global mobile partnerships at Wikimedia Foundation.   


This collaboration will give Smart, Talk ‘N Text and Sun Cellular’s 68.9 million customers unlimited access to Wikipedia, free of data charges from their mobile device as part of Wikipedia Zero global program.

Wikipedia contains more than 30 million articles in 287 languages, contributed by a global community of 80,000 volunteers. According to Comscore, Wikipedia is the world’s largest online encyclopedia, visited by 500 million people each month.

Under Wikipedia Zero, starting September 5, 2014 until February 3, 2015, all Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular subscribers who will access m.wikipedia.org, zero.wikipedia.org, the Wikipedia apps (available for iOS and Android devices), or any other Wikimedia sites on their cellphone, can do so without incurring data charges.

“We have always looked for and promoted ways to use technology and mobile communications to drive learning and consequently, development. Wikipedia Zero is relevant in a country where access to both computer terminals and Internet connectivity is still relatively low, but where almost everyone owns a cellphone. We are excited to bring Wikipedia Zero to the country and help create a way to make learning more accessible to millions of Filipinos,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart.

“Smart has been a terrific supporter of Wikimedia, and now we’re very happy to formalize our relationship with Wikipedia Zero,” said Carolynne Schloeder, head of global mobile partnerships at the Wikimedia Foundation. “Smart’s emphasis on education is aligned with Wikimedia’s global mission, driven locally by Wikimedia Philippines.”

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