I received information earlier today that Surf and Facebook officially launched Express Wi-Fi in Ongata Rongai. The basic concept behind Express Wi-Fi is that access to the Internet should be available and affordable for everyone in Kenya. Express Wi-Fi is designed to be a fast affordable public wi-fi hotspot service with more than 100 hotspots already live in areas such as Ongata Rongai, Limuru, Kiserian, Kitengela, Kiambu, Mlolongo, Ngong, Ruaka, Thika and Wangige. In addition, starting this week, the Express Wi-Fi service will also be available in Kisumu and Mombasa

The Express Wi-Fi hotspots are strategically in areas where people gather for work, transit or entertainment such as markets, matatu stages and chill spots. One of the great features of the service is that anyone can use Express Wi-Fi without switching SIM cards or having a data plan, as long as they can receive a one-time SMS on the device they are using. Surf is working with local entrepreneurs to host and sell the Express Wi-Fi service. The entrepreneurs offer the service around their locations and customers can purchase a range of packages.

Surf is offering an introductory promotion, where every new customer gets 100MBs every day for 10 days, guaranteeing that the customers can experience the service as soon as they sign up.  In addition, anyone connected to an Express Wi-Fi hotspot can access Facebook Flex and FreeBasics, a collection of websites including content such as news, employment, health, education and local information, for free while connected to the Express Wi-Fi network.