When Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, the world’s largest social network, became a father earlier this year, he promised that he would be focusing on several activities that would make the world a better place for his daughter. One of those activities is a plan to offer free Internet service to lower-income individuals who might not be able to otherwise afford it.
According to Money Bhaskar, the latest business news in Hindi is that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is putting the brakes on Mr. Zuckerberg’s offer. The agency has yet to confirm, however, whether or not Facebook’s partner in India, Reliance Communications, is in compliance with net neutrality standards in regards to its “Free Basics” Internet service.
Net Neutrality Being Violated By Restricting Content
The aim of Free Basics is to allow approximately one billion unconnected Indian citizens limited access the Internet for free in poor rural areas and other locations. The caveat, however, is that the company will not allow users to access content of their choice, rather only a limited number of Web sites. This is in direct violation of net neutrality standards that dictate that access to the Internet should not be restricted by any one company, and should be available to all.
Earlier in December, the TRAI ordered Reliance Communications to stop offering the service while it investigates whether or not the company is in fact violating net neutrality policies.
What is Net Neutrality?
Net neutrality means that Internet service, and other telecommunications providers should not be able to pick and choose which content customers can and cannot have access to. Moreover, there should not be different price points for service based on accessibility of certain content. In other words, ISP and telecom providers should in no way be able to have dominion over the content their customers are able to view.
Spokespersons for Reliance Communications have not responded to queries made by media outlets, and Free Basics is still operational despite the TRAI missive issued several weeks ago.
Tech Community Speaking Out Against Free Basics
India’s tech community and Internet entrepreneurs are growing quite vocal about the controversy surrounding Free Basics. The group is arguing that even for poor citizens, no Internet is preferable to one that is restricted by its provider.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, a tech entrepreneur and founder of the e-commerce site PAYTM, tweeted recently, “Oh my fellow Indians, either choose this & do a jihaad for independent Internet later or pick #NetNeutrality today.”
India is an important territory for Facebook. The country is home to 130 million Facebook users, making it second only to the United States.
Facebook issued the following statement about the controversy over Free Basics: “We are committed to Free Basics and to working with Reliance and the relevant authorities to help people in India get connected.”
Facebook and other tech giants are aggressively pursuing consumers in India, which is considered a huge, untapped market. Facebook in particular has ambitious plans for India in its future, including delivery of high-speed Internet to vast rural areas via satellites, lasers, and drones.
