The popular online encyclopedia Wikipedia has launched a pilot service to send articles via text message to users' mobile phones in Africa.
Wikipedia is partnering with mobile network provider Airtel to deliver free articles via text message to subscribers in Kenya. This is the first experimental step in the entire project. The aim of the two companies' venture is to gain access to information and knowledge to people who do not have access to the internet.
In Africa, mobile networks are comparatively developed as mobile operators have more subscribers than fixed telephone and internet companies. The trial will last three months.
"In most developing countries, smartphones with internet access are the exception rather than the rule," said Dan Foyle, head of technical services at Wikipedia. "This means that billions of people are effectively unable to access information, articles and relevant news on Wikipedia," he added.
To activate the service, Airtel users in Kenya need to dial *515#. They will then receive a text message, which will direct them to search for articles of interest on Wikipedia.
Source: tro-ma-ktiko.blogspot.gr
