Mark Zuckerberg, founder, chairman and CEO of Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB), on Monday answered critics of the Internet.org initiative (now called Free Basics), a free, limited version of the Internet for people who cannot afford a broadband subscription or a smartphone data plan. In an op-ed piece published in the Times of India, Zuckerberg pushed back against criticism from opponents in India.
After listing a few things such as libraries and free public schools, Zuckerberg writes:
And in the 21st century, everyone also deserves access to the tools and information that can help them to achieve all those other public services, and all their fundamental social and economic rights.
That’s why everyone also deserves access to free basic Internet services.
We know that when people have access to the internet they also get access to jobs, education, healthcare, communication. We know that for every 10 people connected to the internet, roughly one is lifted out of poverty. We know that for India to make progress, more than 1 billion people need to be connected to the internet.
Zuckerberg also notes that 35 mobile operators have launched Free Basics, that 15 million have come online and that within 30 days half those free subscriptions turn into paid subscriptions.
He also noted that India’s telecom regulatory body is conducting a survey of whether the country should offer free basic Internet service in India. Zuckerberg concludes:
There’s no valid basis for denying people the choice to use Free Basics, and that’s what thousands of people across India have chosen to tell [regulators] over the last few weeks.
Choose facts over false claims. Everyone deserves access to the internet. Free basic internet services can help achieve this. Free Basics should stay to help achieve digital equality for India.
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