Facebook, which has been facing criticism from some quarters in India for its Internet.org service, has opened up its free Internet platform as the Free Basics app. The app and web platform, providing access to over 250 services, is now live in 19 countries including India and will be part of the larger objectives of Internet.org. Developers will be free to add their apps on the platform as long as they meet the technical criteria.
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In India, the Department of Telecom and the telecom regulator are looking at whether the Facebook platform was against net neutrality. A network carrier executive later explained that the reason behind the company cutting its ties with Internet.org was the controversial nature of the initiative and the business model. “We’re making this change to better distinguish the Internet.org initiative from the programmes and services we’re providing, including Free Basics”, the company said in an official blog post. “And the mobile web version, which will redirect from the previous URL, can be accessed at FreeBasics.com”.
After a barrage of criticism targeted at the Facebook-led Internet.org initiative, the company announced today that it will now allow the use of encrypted services without charging data fees. “In fact, Facebook has added 30 more developers in India for its ‘Free Basic” services, taking the total number to 80.
In May we introduced the platform as a way for developers to easily create services that integrate with Internet.org, and a way to give people more choice and control over the services they access. In India, the company faced heat over the issue of net neutrality, which basically says no online service should be given preference over others.
“We have been in discussions with various stakeholders”.
We wanted to strike a differentiation between Internet.org and program with operator partnerships.
Daniels further said: “There is no exclusivity with Reliance in India”. But the unfounded criticism has slowed the conversation.
To tap into the unlicensed spectrum space in India, Facebook has launched community hotspots called ExPress Wifi in remote areas where users can buy internet packages for as much as Rs.10, going on to monthly ones. “The commercial benefit for service providers is that people move on to paid services soon”, he added. Zuckerberg announced Weve improved the security and privacy of Internet.org. We already encrypt information everywhere possible, and starting today Internet.org also supports secure HTTPS web services as well. Among the new services on the platform are English Dost, MeraDoctor, M-Kisan, My Rights and SkyMet.
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The briefing also included a presentation by Dr. Yael Maguire of Facebook’s Connectivity Labs, featuring futuristic work done by his team to develop internet connectivity using solar-powered airplanes. Reliance users can access these applications and websites without paying for data usage.
