MIAMI, FL--(Marketwired - Nov 13, 2015) - In another ground-breaking move that is sure to appeal to educators, parents and the broader C&W customer base, the Company has signed an important partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization that supports Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia projects.
With this partnership, C&W's prepaid mobile subscribers will now have free access to Wikipedia via their handsets. Customers' Wikipedia searches will be free, meaning there will be no additional cost for surfing the site regardless of how much time is spent browsing. The Wikipedia app will come pre-loaded on all new Android devices and will also be available to post-paid customers in the near future.
"Since Cable & Wireless's successful merger with Columbus International Inc., we have initiated a series of strategic partnerships with innovative technologies and services, as we continue to seek alliances to enrich our customers' multi-platform experience. We're excited to partner with the Wikimedia Foundation and offer new ways for our customers to enjoy and use our services," said John Reid, President, Consumer Group.
Speaking on the partnership, Sheree Chang, VP of Strategic Partnerships at the Wikimedia Foundation stated "The Wikimedia vision is a world in which every single person can freely access the sum of all knowledge. By partnering with Cable & Wireless, we are able to put this knowledge in the hands of more people, for free and without restriction, helping to close the knowledge gap around the world. Today's announcement will pave the way for C&W to offer all the knowledge that comes with Wikipedia Zero to its users in the Caribbean."
With more than 35 million articles across 291 languages, Wikipedia is a vast free knowledge resource for anyone, anywhere. Whether you are a student writing an essay, a teacher preparing a tutorial, a researcher unearthing important information, or simply a curious mind -- Wikipedia helps people around the world. Every month, nearly half a billion people visit Wikipedia. With its ad-free, collaborative, non-profit model, Wikipedia has become a trusted platform for neutral, reliable information.
The Wikimedia Foundation, created in 2003, is dedicated to supporting Wikipedia, its sister projects, and the Wikimedia community to provide the world with free access to knowledge -- for free, without restriction, without limitation. Extending access to Wikipedia across the Caribbean through this partnership is an important step forward in achieving this mission.
"We have always made it our priority to invest in our region's education," added Reid. "Whether through targeted educational initiatives, such as the largest back to school initiative in Jamaica and the Caribbean -- Skool Aid -- or by providing free Internet in schools across the region, C&W has consistently sought opportunities to enhance the lives of the communities in which we serve. We are thrilled be able to deliver this product as we remain true to our mission -- Connecting Communities...Transforming Lives."
About C&W Communications
Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) is a full service communications and entertainment provider, operating in the Caribbean and Latin America. With annual sales of over US$2.4 billion, it operates both mobile and fixed networks, supported by submarine and terrestrial optical fibre backhaul capacity. Through the acquisition of Columbus International Inc on 31 March 2015, C&W now delivers superior high-speed mobile data, broadband and TV/video services. It has leading market positions in Mobile, Fixed Line, Broadband and TV consumer offers.
Through its business division, C&W provides data centre hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customised IT service solutions, utilising cloud technology to serve business and government customers.
The company also operates a state-of-the-art subsea fibre optic cable network that spans more than 48,000 km -- the most extensive in the region -- as well as 38,000 km of terrestrial fibre providing wholesale and carrier backhaul capacity and a growing suite of wholesale managed services.
C&W has more than 7,500 employees serving over 6 million customers (Mobile 3.8m; Fixed Line 1.1m; Video 460k and Broadband 665k) as well as over 125k corporate clients and 225 wholesale customers across 42 countries. The Company's leading brands include: LIME and Flow in the Caribbean; BTC in The Bahamas; Mas Movil in Panama; C&W Business and C&W Networks. C&W is the market leader in most products offered and territories served. It is a major contributor to local communities through its corporate social responsibility programs.
Cable & Wireless Communications' shares are quoted on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CWC. The company is headquartered in London with its operational hub located in Miami, within close proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America. For more information visit: www.cwc.com.