Social networking company Facebook has launched a new programme to take the Internet to rural areas of India which have poor or no access to cyberspace, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.

Facebook is working with Internet service providers and local entrepreneurs to test its Express Wifi across locations in India, the spokesman for Facebook said.

"Express Wifi empowers local entrepreneurs to help provide quality Internet access to their neighbours and make a steady income," Facebook's Express Wifi webpage says.

Customers of Express Wifi could purchase data packs with digital vouchers to access the Internet on the Express Wifi network, the spokesman said.

The scheme, which has been deployed at multiple pilot sites, seems to have had a smoother roll-out than Facebook's Free Basics internet service app which faced a wave of criticism when it was launched earlier this year on the ground that it undermined net neutrality.

The initiative which provided access to select websites and apps for free was blocked in February by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India which said service providers could not offer or charge different tariffs for data services based on content.

The Facebook spokesman did not give details of how the scheme would work or how much it would cost.

"We focus on building a sustainable economic model for all stakeholders involved, so that local retailer entrepreneurs, ISPs, operators, and Facebook can continue to invest in and operate lasting connectivity," the spokesman said.

"We believe a sustainable economic model is the one which can scale to bring all of India online."