DiGi is first in Malaysia to deliver Wikipedia Zero

DiGi is first in Malaysia to deliver Wikipedia Zero
Customers to enjoy free mobile internet access to Wikipedia content via Opera Mini browser

SHAH ALAM, 21 May 2012 - Customers of DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd ("DiGi") are the first in Malaysia to enjoy free mobile surfing when accessing Wikipedia Zero on the DiGiLive Zero portal. This latest initiative to drive relevant mobile content among Malaysians is a result of a global partnership between Telenor Group and Wikimedia Foundation announced on 28 February 2012.

By accessing through the Opera Mini browser, customers can surf the contents of Wikipedia Zero without any data charges until further notice. It is in line with DiGi's mission to deliver "Internet For All" by making the mobile surfing experience much easier and enjoyable with the introduction of Wikipedia Zero -- an ultra lightweight site with text-only content to provide faster mobile browsing experience.

Says Praveen Rajan Head of Internet & Services in DiGi: "This latest partnership has put DiGi in pole position, making us the first telco to offer Wikipedia Zero service in Malaysia; in fact, we are the first affiliate company in the Telenor Group to do so.

"We applaud the Wikimedia Foundation to make information freely available on the Internet and on mobile platforms. We share their goal of making knowledge more accessible to everyone. With Wikipedia Zero available in hundreds of languages including BM, Chinese and Tamil, DiGi is now able to reach out to more communities who prefer to read in their native language," Praveen concludes.

This initiative is part of the Wikimedia Foundation's mobile strategy, which focuses on reaching the billions of people around the world whose primary opportunity to access the Internet is via a mobile device. The Foundation aims to remove barriers to accessing free knowledge, of which cost and accessibility are two of the biggest. The text-only Wikipedia Zero site is now available via DiGiLive Zero portal in 250+ languages, including English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil, Indonesian, Bangladesh, Nepalese and Burmese.

The DiGi-Opera Mini browser has a unique compression technology that gives users up to 90% faster surfing experience. This enables customers, including non-smartphone users, to enjoy the full mobile internet experience at a faster and more affordable way. DiGi was the first operator in Malaysia to introduce co-branded Opera Mini browser in March 2011. As of today, DiGi has recorded the highest number of Opera Mini users in Malaysia.

For more information on DiGiLive Zero, visit http://m.digilive.my