Ola launches Progressive Web App to drive growth in smaller towns

In a bid to drive growth in smaller towns and cities, cab-aggregator Ola has launched Progressive Web App (PWA), a lightweight mobile website that offers users an app-like experience on simple smartphones, requiring a fraction of the data used by native apps.

Announced at the Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco, the PWA will overcome technological barriers to entry in key markets and make Ola the first ride-sharing platform in hundreds of cities across India, where there are limited connectivity and a prevailing use of low-end smartphones.

The USP of Ola’s PWA is that it consumes only 50 KB data on first payload and 10 KB on subsequent loads. The PWA will operate in ways that address the local consumer needs and provide light and agile functionality, enabling Ola to magnify its reach to tier two, three and four cities across India.

"The launch of PWA technology represents another milestone in Ola’s commitment to building innovative technology that is made for India. As the first ride-hailing app in the APAC region that is using PWA technology, this represents an important development that will enable us to reach an ever greater number of customers and driver partners in rural India. We have always said that addressing market needs is a key priority and this launch takes us one step further in our commitment to providing mobility for a billion Indians,” said Ankit Bhati, Co-Founder and CTO of Ola.

Ola had stopped taking cab bookings on its website and had gone app-only in mid-2015. The PWA presents itself as a convenient option for Outstation and Rental customers who can now access Ola through this light application on their mobile phones and desktops/laptops alike.