Backing net neutrality, telecom watchdog TRAI yesterday barred operators from charging different rates for Internet access based on content, dealing a blow to Facebook’s controversial Free Basics and other such plans.
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Explaining the advantages of the program, Mark Zuckerberg in his post said that different programs which are operated by Facebook have improved the lives of 19 million people in 38 countries. He expressed his disappointment on the ban by the Indian authorities but vowed that Facebook will continue to work in India and across the globe to break down all the barriers.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said he would work to make Free Basics legal.
According to critics and several internet activists, by allowing access to a few app and web services for free put other small scale content providers at a disadvantage.
“Net neutrality will ensure free access to all Indian internet users and will specially benefit the Startup India, Digital India programme and will ensure opening of big word of internet to the users”, Gupta told ANI here.
India has introduced tougher regulations to prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from offering differential pricing plans to their customers to provide access to different part of the internet.
Apart from Free Basic Program of Internet.org, Facebook is also actively working on other programmes that falls in the periphery of TRAI norms. We know that for every 10 people connected to the Internet, roughly one is lifted out of poverty.
Zuckerberg said that Facebook’s mission was to make the world more open and connected.
What reason is there for denying people free access to vital services for communication, education, healthcare, employment, farming and women’s rights? In our opinion, TRAI’s regulation on prohibiting differential pricing constitutes a welfare-reducing measure of high concern by blocking a possible avenue for our less-advantaged citizens to move to increased economic growth and prosperity by harnessing the power of the Internet.
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Under this program, Facebook offers pared down internet connectivity services on mobile devices along with the Facebook social network and messaging services at no fee.
