Disappointed with TRAI verdict but will keep working to deliver free Internet access: Mark Zuckerberg

Expressing disappointment on India’s decision on net neutrality, Facebook founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg has said he is committed to working towards breaking down connectivity barriers in India and around the world. “Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the internet,” Zuckerberg said in a post on the Facebook yesterday, his first reaction to the ruling of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on net neutrality. 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. Facebook’s Free Basics plan came in for major criticism from experts who alleged that it curbed one’s freedom to access the internet of their choice. “Today India’s telecom regulator decided to restrict programmes that provide free access to data. This restricts one of Internet.org’s initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programmes by other organisations that provide free access to data,” Zuckerberg said. “While we’re disappointed with today’s decision, I want to personally communicate that we are committed to keep working to break down barriers to connectivity in India and around the world. Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the internet,” he said. Zuckerberg claimed that Facebook’s work with Internet.org around the world has already improved many people’s lives. “Connecting India is an important goal we won’t give up on, because more than a billion people in India don’t have access to the internet,” Zuckerberg said. “We know that connecting them can help lift people out of poverty, create millions of jobs and spread education opportunities. We care about these people, and that’s why we’re so committed to connecting them,” he said. More than 19 million people in 38 countries have been connected through Facebook’s different programmes. “Our mission is to make the world more open and connected. That mission continues, and so does our commitment to India,” he said, adding that everyone in the world should have access to the internet. “That’s why we launched Internet.org with so many different initiatives – including extending networks through solar-powered planes, satellites and lasers, providing free data access through Free Basics, reducing data use through apps, and empowering local entrepreneurs through Express Wi-Fi,” Zuckerberg said. Meanwhile in a statement, Facebook said it would continue with its efforts in India. “Our goal with Free Basics is to bring more people online with an open, non-exclusive and free platform. While disappointed with the outcome, we will continue our efforts to eliminate barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to the internet and the opportunities it brings,” a Facebook spokesman said. In a separate statement, Virginia-based Protect Internet Freedom (PIF) expressed outrage that TRAI has given in to net neutrality activists in denying even basic Internet services for those that need it most. “India’s TRAI ruling is very disappointing for the millions of unconnected citizens that have never logged on to a computer or swiped an iPhone,” said Jerri Ann Henry, public advocate for Protect Internet Freedom. Ruling against discriminatory pricing for different data platforms or content, TRAI said operators cannot enter into pacts with Internet companies to subsidise access to some websites. “Unfortunately, as governments take a more activist role in deciding the Internet’s future, we can expect to see even more organised lobbying campaigns where megaphone wielding-extremists drown out the voices of the people,” Jerri said. “Here in the US, we see the net neutrality priesthood are already directing their moral outrage, public relations expertise and substantial funding to attack zero rating initiatives that get more people online. To them, zero-rating is poor Internet for poor people. But all they have to offer in return is ’no Internet for poor people,’ Jerri added. Additionally, it was not just Facebook that was disappointed with TRAI’s verdict, but COAI as well. The director general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) Rajan Mathews too expressed sadness at the TRAI decision. “The telecom industry is disappointed with TRAI’s decision to rule out differential pricing. COAI had approached the regulator with the reasons to allow price differentiation as the move would have taken us closer to connecting the one billion unconnected citizens of India.” With inputs from PTI