Facebook also said that it will try to resolve the situation in Egypt to bring back the Free Basics program; and added: “We are committed to Free Basics, and we’re going to keep working to serve our community to provide access to connectivity and valuable services”.
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Steelers beat Browns 28-12, slide into AFC playoffs
The Steelers (10-6) earned a wild-card berth as a result of their win and the Buffalo Bills’ 22-17 victory over the New York Jets. This is a lot of points to lay on a road team but the Browns aren’t going to match what Ben Roethlisberger and Co.do offensively.
But critics say internet providers and mobile networks should not be offering cheaper or faster access to selected services.
Jets loss to Bills sends Pittsburgh into AFC playoffs
Pettine enters with a 10-21 record , a mark made worse by the Browns’ disappointing performance on defense this season. However, a Steelers win coupled with a Jets loss to Buffalo would propel the Black and Gold into the playoff picture .
According to Trai, over 3.8 lakh people have sent in e-mails in support of Net neutrality, even as Facebook claims that about 3.2 million people have sent a petition to Trai in support of its Free Basics service.
Saudis cut ties with Iran following Shiite cleric execution
However, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Shia cleric had been executed for his opposition to Saudi Arabia’s Sunni rulers. Hundreds of protesters later demonstrated in front of the embassy and in a central Tehran square.
However, Net Neutrality advocates ask why Facebook isn’t pressing telecom companies to reduce their price of data. Since most of the responses did not answer the questions posed by the TRAI, these responses are of no use to the regulator.
Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended the last date for receiving comments on its paper on differential data pricing, which is key to the debate on net neutrality to January 7.
The Times of India published an opinion piece from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg defending the service. “What reason is there for denying people free access to vital services for communication, education, healthcare, employment, farming and women’s rights?” And Facebook has issued a series of full-page newspaper advertisements and billboard banners in an aggressive campaign to counter the protests. Start-ups and individuals should be anxious about the development of free basics as it will be restricted to a few sites which FB will partner with.
While this might not seem that of big a setback for Facebook, but if an adverse decision is issued in a net neutrality hearing scheduled for next month, FB might have to overhaul its Free Basics operations in India.
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“In a democracy you have both sides – you have Facebook spending so much on the campaign and on the other side you have internet activists making their own efforts”, the TRAI’s Sharma told Reuters on Wednesday.
