Zuckerberg, meanwhile, has been dismayed with the ruling, promising Facebook would find a way to provide free data access to Indians.
Advertisement
According to Reuters, Internet-service providers in India are now prohibited from charging different prices for access to different parts of the Web, which is exactly what Free Basics does-providing free access to a selection of Internet services, along with Facebook and its Messenger application.
To connect everybody in the world, Facebook launched its Free Basics platform. “This limits one of Internet.org’s initiatives, Free Basics, and also programs by different associations that give free access to data”. The company had been heavily promoting the service, and had been releasing newspaper ads to facebook ads to even offline promotions regarding the free basics.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg promised the ruling will not deter the social media giant’s plan to provide free Web access.
However, the regulations issued by TRAI on Monday block access to the “Free Basics” services in India. 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. “Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the Internet”, he said. “This restricts one of Internet.org’s initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programs by other organizations that provide free access to data”. We know that connecting them can help lift people out of poverty, create millions of jobs and spread education opportunities.
The plans were seen as violation of the principle of Net Neutrality that calls for all websites being equally accessible. We care about these people, and that’s why we’re so committed to connecting them.
“Keeping in View India’s large number of internet users and content producers, both of which are rising exponentially, the Authority has taken a view that prohibition of discriminatory tariff for data services is necessary to ensure that service providers continue to fulfill their obligations in keeping the internet open and non-discriminatory”. Free Basics is offered in 38 countries.
Advertisement
As you would expect, Facebook is very disappointed about the TRAI’s decision.
